Millennium Development Goals

Goal 1. Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

Goal 1 aims to halve the proportion of people whose income is less than $1 a day, as well as generate full and productive employment. Its final objective is to halve the proportion of people who suffer from hunger. UNHCR strives to provide refugees with nutritional supplements and therapeutic feeding. In both emergency and protracted situations, we work closely with the World Food Programme to ensure that refugees receive adequate food supply at every stage of their ordeal. Australia for UNHCR has funded food projects in Kenya and Chad.

Goal 2. Achieve Universal Primary Education

Goal two acknowledges the importance of education to improve the lives of children in need. By 2015, goal 2 aims to ensure every child around the world, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. Education is a key concern for UNHCR. We work to support education as a priority, even during emergencies. Whether it's the provision of school uniforms and stationery, or the construction of school facilities within camps, UNHCR is committed to achieving this Goal. Australia for UNHCR has funded education projects in Chad, Uganda and Thailand.

Goal 3. Promote Gender equality and Empower Women

Goal 3 focuses on the empowerment of women and the elimination of gender disparity in all levels of education by 2105, beginning with primary and secondary schooling. UNHCR works tirelessly to protect refugee women and girls against sexual and gender-based violence. We promote gender parity in education and encourage women's increased participation in leadership. UNHCR seeks to empower women and girls to express themselves in the social and political sphere through sport, education and skills training programs. Australia for UNHCR has funded women's projects in Kenya.

Goal 4. Reduce Child Mortality

Goal 4 targets the tragic and preventable death of infants and children under 5-years-old. MDG supporters work towards reducing the under-5 mortality rate by two thirds by 2015. UNHCR's Safe Mother and Baby Program has significantly reduced infant mortality rates around the world. Other UNHCR programs provide children with emergency nutrition and healthcare, as well as immunisations to prevent disease, ultimately reducing child mortality.

Goal 5. Improve Maternal Health

Most maternal deaths are avoidable. Giving birth is especially risky in Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where most women deliver without skilled care. Goal 5 aims to reduce, by three quarters, the maternal mortality ratio and achieve universal access to reproductive health support. UNHCR provides ongoing postnatal care to thousands of refugee mothers and their babies through the construction of maternity wards, the provision of medical staff, emergency transportation and clean delivery kits. Australia for UNHCR's maternal health work through its Safe Mother and Baby Program has directly resulted in reduced maternal and infant mortality rates in Somalia, Myanmar and Uganda.

Goal 6 . Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases

Goal 6 would see initiatives halt and begin to reverse the devastating effects of HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases by 2015. In 2010, Goal 6 focuses on achieving universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment for all those who need it by the end of the year. UNCHR combats HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other life-threatening diseases by implementing highly successful prevention strategies. This includes providing refugees with insecticide treated nets, increasing fumigation, and implementing immunisation programs. UNHCR has also improved palliative care to those suffering from a life-threatening disease.

Goal 7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability

Goal 7 hopes to integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs, and reverse the loss of environmental resources, specifically reducing biodiversity loss by 2010. Goal 7 aims to halve, by 2015, the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. UNHCR strives to provide all refugees with the recommended minimum water requirement of 20 litres per person, per day. This involves the coordination of sanitation systems, water delivery methods, and the provision of basic carrying materials to ensure refugees have access to clean and safe water. Visit our Clean Water Program to learn more.

Goal 8. Develop a Global Partnership for Development

Goal  8 addresses the need to develop an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system. This Goal also tackles the issue of developing countries' debt, and attempts to make affordable, essential drugs in developing countries, in partnership with pharmaceutical companies. UNHCR works with many international organisations and local bodies in the filed to create and perpetuate a successful global partnership committed to development.