UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund

Frequently Asked Questions

How is UNICEF supporting children in Afghanistan to learn?

UNICEF is supporting children’s education in Afghanistan in a number of ways, while we ensure girls are safe wherever their learning takes place. We are: 

1. providing 38 million textbooks in schools; 
2. constructing toilets and providing safe water in schools; 
3. training 1,200 female teachers; and 
4. expanding the 10,000 Community-Based Education classes, small classes that take place in neighbourhoods in tents, mosques or homes, to 17,000 classes by the end of the year to support 500,000 children, 55% of whom are girls.

In addition, we are exploring alternative pathways to education, including financial support to small-scale education initiatives as well as lessons on tablets and via radio or TV. 
 

How is the overall situation of children in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan has long been one of the most difficult places on earth to be a child. Over half the country, 24 million people, including 13 million children, continue to need very urgent humanitarian aid.

Is UNICEF team helping children and families in Afghanistan on the ground? What have UNICEF done? Why do I need to donate to UNICEF?

We have been in Afghanistan for 71 years. Currently, we have 476 staff, 30% of whom are international, and we are expanding capacity to respond to increased needs of children and families in Afghanistan. These staff are spread over 13 offices nationwide. 

UNICEF has not only ‘stayed,’ we’ve delivered. We’ve stepped up to the challenge like never before. We were the first UN humanitarian agency on the ground in the villages affected by the 5.9 earthquake in June. 

From August 2021 to July 2022, we have: 

• supported 5.36 million children with access to education; 
• treated 457,000 children for severe acute malnutrition; 
• vaccinated 2.4 million children (under 5) against measles;
• provided 3.8 million children and their families with access to safe water
• provided 1 million children and caregivers with mental health psychosocial support
• provided 135,000 households with humanitarian cash transfers; 

UNICEF has to do more for Afghan children. UNICEF is appealing US$2 billion to help meet children's immediate humanitarian needs this year. This is the largest single-country appeal in UNICEF's 76-year history. 

When I donate to UNICEF, is it tax deductible in Malaysia?

Yes, when you donate to UNICEF, you get to enjoy tax exemption benefits from the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) for donations of RM50 and above, as according to section 44(6) of the Income tax Act 1967, Malaysia.

How can I donate to UNICEF Malaysia on a monthly basis?

There are 3 methods that you can choose from to donate: Through credit card, debit card or via auto-debit from a Maybank (MBB) account. 
(Note: Donation method via cheque is ONLY accepted when the donors prefer NOT to donate through their credit cards or MBB bank account)

When I donate to UNICEF Malaysia, how does it get deducted monthly?

After you make your initial UNICEF donation, future donations will be automatically charged to your credit card or deducted monthly from your bank account. For example, if you choose to donate monthly an amount of RM100 today, your next donation of RM100 will be automatically charged to your account in exactly one month to the day, and each subsequent month thereafter. 

Why does the programme have monthly donation schemes?

A monthly UNICEF donation provides steady and cost-effective source of income. As our country programmes are long-term and permanent, each month you donate allows us to focus on teaching, encouraging and mentoring local communities to build local capacity and help their own children. It also allows us to focus on strategic long-term goals in order to provide permanent solutions to ongoing worldwide difficulties for children. 
Because monthly donations to UNICEF Malaysia are processed automatically, this helps to reduce our administrative costs - which allows us to spend more on programmes for children.

Can I make a one-time donation to UNICEF Malaysia?

Yes, you can donate one-time and any amount is greatly appreciated. However, we encourage a monthly donation as it enables us to plan effectively in our upcoming work for children; knowing that we have the funds in hand to invest in long-term solutions and making a positive impact for children.

What happens to the UNICEF donations raised?

As stewards for the world's most vulnerable children, we believe it is our responsibility to use every Ringgit received from our donors wisely. Your UNICEF donation goes directly towards the mission of our organization, including programme services and engaging the public. For more information, kindly refer to UNICEF Malaysia Annual Report 2021.

How is UNICEF Malaysia funded and how much of UNICEF’s donations goes to children?

Although part of the United Nations (UN) system, UNICEF does not receive any funding from the UN. All the funding UNICEF receives is provided by voluntary contributions from governments, private individuals and businesses from around the world, as well as foundations and the general public.

For every 1 Ringgit you donate to UNICEF, about 80 sen goes to helping save and transform children’s lives. We spend about 20 sen on policy, management, administration and reinvestment.

Your contribution helps support the provision of essential medicines, vaccines, educational, health and emergency supplies to help children in Malaysia and globally survive and thrive to adulthood. UNICEF also uses its global influence to advocate for the long-term needs of children and women around the world.

How many years am I pledging to donate for?

When you donate to UNICEF Malaysia, you are in total control of your own giving. You can change your gift at any time. UNICEF Malaysia would like to encourage you to give for as long as possible, as this way you can make more of a difference to the lives of children.

What do I get in return when I donate?

You will receive regular updates on how your UNICEF donation is being spent to help the children of Malaysia and around the world. You can join donor-exclusive events and activities organized by UNICEF Malaysia.

If you are a monthly donor, you are also eligible for tax exemption for your donation to UNICEF, which is expected to be received in the first quarter of every year.

If you are a one-time donor, you will receive a donation receipt from UNICEF for every donation you make. For every donation of RM50 and above, it is also tax exempt under Section 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967.

Will my credit card and bank account information remain confidential?

UNICEF Malaysia adheres to a strict policy regarding donor privacy. Your personal information will be dealt with the utmost confidentiality within the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). You can contact the Donor Services team on 1300 300 010 (9.00am - 5.30pm) or email donorcare@unicef.my for more information.

How do I make changes to my monthly UNICEF donation?

Every Ringgit is crucial to carry out the important work we do for children and we hope to get your vital support. However, should you ever need to stop your UNICEF donation, all you have to do is contact us through the contact details provided below. Please allow a maximum of 30 days for the termination of auto debit, debit card or credit card arrangements to take effect. Our contact details can be found below:

UNICEF Malaysia  
United Nations Children’s Fund, 
Menara PJH, Level 10, No. 2, 
Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Precinct 2, 
62100, Putrajaya, Malaysia. 

Donor Services Hotline: 1300 300 010 
Fax: +603 2093 0582 
Email: donorcare@unicef.my
Contact: Donor Services Team 
Office hours: Monday - Friday; 9.00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Are there other ways to sign up and donate to UNICEF’s monthly donation programme?

Yes, you can download the form from the donation page and submit it to us via mail/fax or to the address below. Please make all cheques payable to UNICEF. You can also sign up as a UNICEF monthly donor via our Face-to-Face Fundraising Programme.

Our contact details can be found below:

UNICEF Malaysia
United Nations Children’s Fund,
Menara PJH, Level 10, No. 2,
Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Precinct 2,
62100, Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Donor Services Hotline: 1300 300 010
Fax: +603 2093 0582
Email: donorcare@unicef.my
Contact: Donor Services Team
Office hours: Monday - Friday; 9.00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

How do I change my address and bank details?

Please let us know as soon as you move, or if your bank details change for any reason. When doing this, we advise you not to email any bank details as we cannot guarantee security. Please call UNICEF Malaysia’s Donor Hotline at 1300 300 010 – they will be happy to amend your donations details.

What are other ways that I can donate to UNICEF?

There are number of ways you can donate to UNICEF. One of them is to inspire your social circle to contribute to the future of children. Get your family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, hobby interest groups involved and donate to UNICEF via SimplyGiving. Check out the fundraising guide here.

Besides, you can donate via a Tribute Gift to honour yourself or someone special by celebrating special occasions such as birthdays, graduations, wedding anniversaries, job promotions, retirement, newborn babies and so much more.

Furthermore, you can also choose to leave a gift in your will to support UNICEF's work on building a better world for children. Your legacy giving can help transform the lives of many children today and tomorrow.

What is the importance of my donation to UNICEF?

By making a donation to UNICEF, you really are making a difference to children's lives. 

With your donation, you are working together with UNICEF for the survival, protection and development of children in Malaysia and more than 190 countries all around the world. As an established international organization, UNICEF has good systems and are able to fully utilise your donation to really help a child in need, not only in Malaysia but other countries around the world where it is harder to reach.  We ensure more of the world's children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. 

We get things done. And we're not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.

Is UNICEF a charitable organization in Malaysia? What is UNICEF doing?

No, UNICEF’s work is funded entirely through the voluntary contributions and support of public and our partners in government, civil society and the private sector. 

A core area of UNICEF work is on humanitarian action, where UNICEF is spending vast amount of resources to ensure that children in emergency contexts have an opportunity to survive and thrive.

As part of its Humanitarian Action for Children 2022 appeal, UNICEF plans to reach:

- 7.2 million children with treatment for severe acute malnutrition;
- 62.1 million children with measles vaccinations;
- 53.4 million people with access to safe water for drinking and domestic needs;
- 27.9 million children and caregivers with access to mental health and psychosocial support;
- 21.3 million children and women with access to gender-based violence risk mitigation, prevention or response interventions;
- 51.9 million people with safe and accessible channels to report sexual exploitation and abuse by aid workers;
- 77.1 million children with formal or non-formal education, including early learning; and
- 23.6 million households with cash assistance.