Indian suppliers are the third largest provider of UNICEF’s health and nutrition support to children globally

On her first official visit to India, Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF’s Supply Division, met with key stakeholders to sustain and expand UNICEF’s global supply partnership with India.

The visit, from 7 to 11 October, comes at a time when UNICEF marks 75 years of its presence and continued partnership with the Government of India. The longstanding partnership with the Government of India has been instrumental in achieving significant milestones in child health, education and protection for children in the country. From 2016 to 2023, Indian businesses supplied goods and services worth nearly $6 billion to UNICEF for its global work, making it the third-largest supplier in 2023. This contribution includes vaccines, pharmaceuticals and nutrition supplies vital for addressing the health and nutritional needs of children worldwide.

“Indian suppliers of life-saving goods and services for children are key to UNICEF’s work for children globally. UNICEF values these contributions which are central to our mission of saving the lives of the most vulnerable children not only in India but around the world,” said Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF Supply Division. “UNICEF procures notable volumes of child immunization, health and nutrition products from India-based suppliers, and these play a vital role in UNICEF’s global development and humanitarian operations. “It was enriching to meet partners and stakeholders during this visit and to see, first-hand, their commitment for children, as well as their trust in UNICEF.”  

Located in Copenhagen, Denmark, UNICEF's supply and logistics headquarters – UNICEF Supply Division – is home to the world’s largest humanitarian warehouse. Supporting child survival and development programmes globally, UNICEF supplies are critical to making health, education and protection available to the world’s most vulnerable children.

“Ms. Pakkala’s visit highlights the importance of UNICEF’s global supply partnerships with India and great potential for deeper collaboration to address the needs of children worldwide,” said Cynthia McCaffrey, Representative, UNICEF India. “UNICEF, through its sustainable supply and procurement principles, also supports the Government in establishing and managing cost-effective end-to-end supply chains such as for immunization. In sync with national policies and the Sustainable Development Goals, UNICEF contributes to shaping the Indian market to align their supply chains with business practices that are sustainable and ‘do no harm’ to the environ-ment, that most importantly support equality, safety and development of children.”