The provision of quality health care as a pillar of satisfactory economic development is always a challenge to most developing countries especially in Asia and Africa. The occurrence of climatic and health catastrophes is also a great challenge to the developed ones. Such situations premised the establishment of Red Cross and UNICEF. This study compares and contrast the two global bodies whilst identifying the critical role they play in enhancing global healthcare situations.
UNICEF and Red Cross
UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) is a United Nations' initiative. It mainly caters for children and mothers in parts of the world classified as developing countries. The program was initiated in 1946: it became a permanent part of the UN system in 1953. Although the program mainly offers assistance in matters relating to health care (medical supply and training), it also engages in the donation of food for both mother and child. The organization's funds often come from private donors and governments. In the year 2008, the program accumulated a total of $3.3 trillion from its donors (Pearson & Jordan, 2010). UNICEF's initiative is always field-related.
Red Cross was initiated in the 19th century before the proper establishment of organized army nurses. The program mainly engages in delivering medical aid in times of disaster or other emergencies. It also offers other assistance such as shelter and clothing when the need arises. The program has other entities, although they are legal entities. The program is funded by the United States. Its budget is quite high. For instance, ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross), one of the entities', had a budget that amounted to 1 billion Swiss Francs in 2009 (Pearson & Jordan, 2010). The program is also field-based.
As identified, both programs are field-based. However, they have different targets. UNICEF mainly targets children and mothers while Red Cross targets the general population. Nevertheless, Red Cross has played its significant role in looking after children's health. It gives awards to children's funds as frequently as possible. Towards the end of 2013, Red Cross awarded $100,000 to the U.S. children's health fund. This was given towards catering for the children's mental health (Noe et al., 2013).
UNICEF included the health of the mother as part of the child's health because of the child's dependency on the mother. Mothers suffering from malnutrition are not able to take care of their children, including breastfeeding them. The program also handles prenatal and postnatal care, including giving other vaccinations that are relevant to the well being of the mother and child health wise (Pearson & Jordan, 2010). As indicated, UNICEF mainly focuses on developing countries. This includes the whole of Africa and parts of Europe and Asia. Additionally, UNICEF's health care is not limited to given events, times, or places in as far as the mentioned areas are concerned. The program also focuses on training staff and personnel on health issues related to mothers and children. This training is extended further to mothers in their home environments (Akuse & Obinya, 2002).
In order to carry out its tasks effectively, the program coordinates with other relevant community institutions. They include local UNICEF offices, local government representatives, local entities that deal with health related issues, schools, churches, groups in the communities and other entities that are open to help. The program pays its staff, but encourages the involvement of voluntary services. Projects are mainly set depending on the emerging issues at hand. For example, if a vaccination issue is the most pressing issue, the program takes the relevant actions immediately (Dole, 1998). This is mainly because health matters are the most urgent ones and they do not provide adequate time for any future planning.
Red Cross, as indicated, caters for the whole community as a whole. It mainly depends on voluntary services for the running of its operations. It also mainly gets involved in times of disasters, calamities, or emergency situations. The program involves in offering immediate medical attention during such circumstances. Aid comes in the form of medical supplies, transportation, and food before people get the actual care needed. The program is highly identified for its interest in blood donations. It encourages members of the public to donate as much blood as possible and as frequently as they can because of the emergency times.
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