Supply Annual Report 2022
Escalating needs of children drove UNICEF’s biggest-ever procurement of life-saving supplies.
Responding to the growing needs of children living through conflict, climate-related disasters and nutrition crises, UNICEF marked a sixth consecutive year of record-breaking procurement in 2022.
The total value of UNICEF-procured supplies and services reached $7.383 billion – a 93 per cent increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.
The year also marked 60 years of supply and logistics operations in Denmark: 60 years of sourcing with care, packing with love and delivering with hope.
"UNICEF’s procurement level in 2022 underscores a global confluence of crises, with more children in need of humanitarian assistance than at any other time since the Second World War.”
Supplies delivered by UNICEF in 2022 included:
- 3.4 billion vaccines,
- 2.1 billion water purification tablets,
- 38.1 million long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets,
- 162,000 education kits,
- almost 69,000 metric tons of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for children under 5 years old with severe wasting.
The increase in UNICEF procurement was partially driven by the growing needs of children and families living through new and ongoing humanitarian emergencies and a 20 per cent increase in services (compared to 2021) – most significantly in construction, cash and voucher assistance, and international freight.
The results were also powered by partnerships: 80 per cent of goods procurement was conducted in collaboration with UN agencies and development partners.
Achieving equitable access to RUTF
UNICEF procures around 80 per cent of the global supply of RUTF and is the provider of first resort for children affected by humanitarian crises. In 2022, production levels achieved by RUTF manufacturers enabled UNICEF to deliver 68,702 metric tonnes of the product to 64 countries – enough RUTF to treat around 5.1 million children.
In 2022, progress was achieved in diverse supply and procurement areas through partnerships with other organizations and industry and with the insights of colleagues who work in countries where we deliver life-saving supplies for children.
Reimagining supply preparedness through public health emergency archetypes
UNICEF pioneered the development of public health emergency archetypes to guide decision-making on R&D and other investments around supplies that prevent and treat infectious diseases. The archetype framework serves as a common platform to identify market challenges that impede low- and middle-income countries from accessing vital products during public health emergencies and helps identify supply solutions to close equity gaps.
Product innovation prioritizes children’s well-being in public health emergencies
UNICEF, WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières went to Uganda to test how well a rapidly deployable health emergency facility performed in facilitating screening, isolation and treatment during the country’s worst Ebola virus outbreak in two decades.
Breakthroughs towards equitable access to assistive technologies for children
In 2022, UNICEF reduced the cost of high-quality assistive technologies (ATs), such as hearing aids, by as much as 94 per cent. This breakthrough in pricing was the outcome of UNICEF’s transparent consultations with industry and strategic engagement with leading AT suppliers – and a relentless focus on minimum product specifications for quality. Eight new wheelchairs and five different hearing aids are among the 24 new ATs that are now available through UNICEF’s Supply Catalogue.
Malaria vaccine: incentivizing markets to produce a new vaccine at scale
In August 2022, UNICEF issued a historic award for the world’s first malaria vaccine. This award will lead to the supply of 18 million doses of RTS,S/AS01e malaria vaccine between the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2025. The long road to developing a malaria vaccine required intense collaboration between the vaccine manufacturer and partners, including PATH, WHO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Global Fund, Unitaid, and participating countries.
In 2022, the Supply Community reaffirmed an unwavering commitment to strengthening our people, culture, and social fabric. Together with partners, we identified solutions, fostered innovation, and amplified the impact of individual efforts.
Ready to respond: Supply Community emergency deployments
Through 61 deployments, Supply Community colleagues helped ensure the delivery of life-saving supplies and services when and where they were needed most. Suvi Rautio, Deputy Director, Supply Chain, UNICEF Supply Division, reflects on how deployments enable UNICEF to mobilize diverse technical expertise to rapidly increase operational capacity and save lives.
Transport and logistics partners: solidarity in a year of emergencies
Across multiple humanitarian crises affecting 274 million people globally in 2022, UNICEF’s supply chain partners stepped up to deliver humanitarian aid for children. UNICEF strengthened existing partnerships to meet the immediate needs of children in crises. Together, we also forged new collaborations to improve supply operations in the future.
UNICEF remained committed to ensuring that children received the vital supplies and services they need to survive and thrive. In 2022, UNICEF delivered $863.9 million in emergency supplies to 140 countries.
Response to natural disasters and climate-amplified crises
In 2022, natural disasters and weather-related calamities intensified by climate change triggered health and nutrition crises around the world. The collateral impact on critical services and the health and well-being of populations has been acute. UNICEF’s rapid mobilization of essential supplies was instrumental in supporting early recovery, long-term development, and preparedness for the future.
Response to large displacements of people
In 2022, UNICEF mounted its largest supply response to date in the face of humanitarian crises that resulted in the large-scale movement of people worldwide. The UNHCR estimates that 100 million people were forced to leave their homes because of conflict, violence, human rights violations, and persecution.
As well, the impact of climate change on lives and livelihoods is driving millions of people elsewhere in search of basics such as safety, food and clean water. The report shows some of the major crises of 2022 that were marked by the extensive uprooting of populations – and provides a glimpse into the priorities and focus of UNICEF’s supply response for children and families.
COVID-19 supplies: 2022 milestones towards equity in procurement and delivery
Alongside its COVAX partners, UNICEF has led the largest vaccine supply and delivery operation in history, helping to ensure equitable access to quality-assured COVID-19 vaccines. On 16 January 2022, the one billionth COVID-19 vaccine dose was delivered to Kigali, Rwanda – a milestone in the collective effort to defeat the pandemic since COVID-19 vaccine delivery began in 2021.
Building a future fit for children
UNICEF construction projects offer tailored solutions to respond to the needs of children now and in the future. Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in UNICEF construction activities. Between 2018 and 2022, the value of UNICEF construction contracts grew by 56 per cent. In these five years, UNICEF has raised construction contracts in 113 countries and invested $1.009 billion in construction contracts (excludes works through implementing partners).
Nigeria and Rwanda: introducing barcodes to strengthen supply chains against fake medicines
UNICEF and partners launched the Traceability and Verification System (TRVST) as a significant step toward improving patient safety and ending the devastating impact of the $30 billion counterfeit medicines industry in low- and middle-income countries.
Madagascar: One UN for strong health supply chains
In 2022, UNICEF leveraged its convening power to unite the Government, UN agencies, and other development partners to pool their strengths and make evidence-based investments to strengthen Madagascar’s health supply chain.
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Highlights
In 2022, UNICEF procured $7.383 billion in goods and services for children in 162 countries and areas. This procurement value included the delivery of 3.4 billion vaccines, 2.1 billion water purification tablets, 38.1 million long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets, 162,000 education kits, and almost 69,000 metric tons of ready-to-use therapeutic food to treat severe wasting in children under 5 years old.
