On 20 November 2009, the global community celebrates the 20th anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the unique document that sets international standards for the care, treatment and protection of all individuals below age 18. To celebrate this landmark, the United Nations Children's Fund is dedicating a special edition of its flagship report The State of the World's Children to examining the Convention's evolution, progress achieved on child rights, challenges remaining, and actions to be taken to ensure that its promise becomes a reality for all children.

The Humanitarian Action Report (HAR) is UNICEF's annual appeal for children and women affected by emergencies around the world.The 2009 report comprises 36 countries in the six UNICEF regions. Children and women suffer most from conflict, war, natural disasters and dire health and nutrition situations. We rely on your support to be able to respond effectively and efficiently to the needs of children and women affected by emergencies and to ensure their protection and well-being.