UNICEF helps children around the world by providing health care, education and other services.
Most charitable organizations are founded around a particular cause or goal, and their efforts center on bringing attention to or providing aid to people affected by that cause. In some cases, a charity may be tied to a specific religious ideology, which determines its policies and practices and what types of individuals it seeks to help. Other charitable organizations have no religious affiliation and operate on an independent basis. They provide aid to people throughout the world without regard to religious affiliation, race or nationality. Individuals who do not practice any organized religion may feel more comfortable donating to a secular charity.
Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), is an international medical organization that provides humanitarian aid throughout the world. According to the MSF website, the organization had volunteers in approximately 60 countries in 2010. The doctors, nurses, lab technicians, epidemiologists, mental health professionals and administrators who volunteer for MSF provide medical aid to individuals who suffer as a result of natural disasters, military conflicts, malnutrition, epidemics and inadequate health care. In addition to providing aid to people in crisis, MSF brings attention to the plight of people suffering all over the world regardless of their race or religion. It does not take sides in armed conflicts, providing medical assistance to victims on the basis of need alone. The organization has no political, religious or military affiliation. Most of MSF's funding comes from charitable contributions. In 2008, the group had 3.7 million private and individual donors, according to the MSF website.
Doctors Without Borders
333 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10001
212-679-6800
doctorswithoutborders.org
Amnesty International
Amnesty International (AI) is dedicated to safeguarding human rights around the world. AI speaks out against human rights abuses in an effort to bring about their end. The organization also conducts research to prevent future human rights violations. AI and its supporters attempt to influence governments, companies, political bodies and other international government agencies to respect the human rights of all the world's people. To this end, AI organizes public demonstrations and lobbying efforts, as well as online campaigns. The causes that AI protests against include violence against women, the death penalty, the global arms trade, poverty and the torture of prisoners or suspected terrorists. AI does not adhere to any political or religious ideology. As a result, the organization relies on charitable contributions and private funding to finance its efforts.
Amnesty International
1 Easton Street
London
WC1X 0DW, UK
011-44-20-74135500
amnesty.org
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
UNICEF is devoted to protecting and championing the causes of children throughout the world. The organization advocates for children who are victims of violence, poverty, discrimination and disease, and it provides aid so children may have a solid start in life. UNICEF ensures that children receive necessary immunizations, helps little girls receive equitable education opportunities and works to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS among children and young people. UNICEF also provides humanitarian aid to children who are victims of natural disasters and other emergencies. As of 2008, the organization had programs in approximately 190 countries, according to the UNICEF website. UNICEF relies on charitable donations from individuals and private corporations to fund its programs and efforts throughout the world.
UNICEF
3 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
212-326-7000
unicef.org
Tags: human rights, throughout world, Amnesty International, Doctors Without, Doctors Without Borders