Kitty van der Heijden

Deputy Executive Director - Partnerships @UNICEF

[Sjoerd Sjoerdsma @ministerBHOS]

It's harder than ever to be a humanitarian. While humanitarian needs and attacks on aid workers increase, funding is decreasing.

The Netherlands takes responsibility by increasing this year's humanitarian budget by 28% and renewing our commitment to UN partners through 2029. 1/2

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

Delighted to meet Ambassador Masatoshi Sugiura, Japan's new Director-General for Global Issues.

We reaffirmed the strong UNICEF-Japan partnership and our shared commitment to delivering results for children worldwide and advancing human security.

[Dubravka Šuica @dubravkasuica]

Good to meet again with @KittyvdHeijden at the margins of #UNGA81.

Our partnership is helping protect children across the region. @UNICEF is implementing almost €173 million in our projects on the ground.

And this week, we took another major step for Gaza.

Together, we signed a new €37 million contract to restore access to safe water and sanitation for around 1 million people - one of the first flagship projects under our #TeamGazaInitiative.

We will continue working together to support children and families and help communities across the region recover and rebuild.

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

Between 2000 & 2024, child deaths more than halved. Today, progress is stalling.

This week, leaders across faiths and @UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors reminded us of our moral obligation to every child.

Now morals must become action. I invite you to join the call for every child.

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

Pleased to meet H.E. Zeki Levent Gümrükçü, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye.

Together we discussed partnership opportunities around #COP31 to advance child‑responsive #ClimateAction & strengthen #DigitalSafety & children’s protection online.

#UNGA81 #ForEveryChild

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

At a time when development resources are under pressure, every dollar must work harder #ForEveryChild.

One year into CAF’s #BancoFuturoLAC, we see how child-lens investing can turn priorities into results.

The next step is to scale impact and mobilize more partners.

#UNGA81

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

Strong partnerships drive change.

In Mexico @CheryAutoCo is supporting UNICEF keep children learning after emergencies, tackle learning loss, train 16,900+ teachers, & boost socio-emotional learning for 330,000+ children & adolescents.

#CheryForUNICEF #ForEveryChild

[UNICEF China @UNICEFChina]

This Qixi festival, celebrate love by giving hope: https://t.co/dThHkH1sRY

In a special message to friends in China, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director @KittyvdHeijden shares how UNICEF Inspired Gifts help bring clean water, nutrition and protection to children affected by crises.

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

At current levels of warming, we are experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves, wildfires, storms and floods. Surpassing 1.5 degrees C — even temporarily — augments the risks associated with these and other impacts. https://t.co/GWjCsaKF7Y

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

What's growing up online really like?

On #YouthDay, Evodie, 19, from Chad shares what 211,300 U-Reporters told UNICEF: young lives are woven into digital spaces.

Young people need skills, support & protection to navigate AI safely & a voice in shaping it
https://t.co/LCnEgyBHaD

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

Children need support when disaster strikes & long after headlines fade.

With a $2.5M for Venezuela’s earthquakes & a $40M Resilience for Children+ partnership in 5 humanitarian settings the Republic of Korea helps UNICEF deliver aid & resilience for millions of children

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

A constructive, forward‑looking annual consultation with @Denmark_UN.

In times of unprecedented need, Denmark’s support for child rights, core funding, and investments in UNICEF’s Supply Hub & innovation help us reach millions of children, especially in fragile contexts.

[Generation Unlimited at UNICEF @GenUnlimited_]

Skills can take young people far. Opportunity takes them further.

Together with public, private, youth partners, @GenUnlimited_ at @UNICEF is connecting young people to the skills and opportunities they need to shape their future.

Building a generation that is #WorkLifeReady.

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

Grateful to H.E. Rein Tammsaar, President of UNICEF's Executive Board, for co-chairing the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.

He stated that protecting children would be one thing that all member states should be able to agree on.

Thank you for standing #ForEveryChild

[Roberto Benes @Roberto_Benes]

In #Venezuela, families are starting rebuilding their lives after devastating #earthquakes.

@UNICEF is there, helping children recover and look ahead with new hope.

Join us. Support our work.
https://t.co/0Dnrg5GCYa

[Mandeep O’Brien @MandeepOBrien]

Delighted to meet distinguished members of Japan's Parliamentary League for @UNICEF, the first parliamentary group to commit to UNICEF's 80th anniversary initiative, "I choose a better future for children." Grateful for their strong engagement and concrete action #ForEveryChild

[Samed Ağırbaş @samedagirbas]

Vakfımızın ana partnerleri arasında yer aldığı Londra İklim Eylemi Haftası’ndaki uluslararası temaslarımız kapsamında, UNICEF Genel Sekreter Yardımcısı Sayın Kitty van der Heijden ve UNICEF Türkiye Temsilcisi Sayın Paolo Marchi ile bir araya geldik.

Sıfır Atık Forumu vizyonumuzu ve #COP31 hedeflerimizi merkeze aldığımız görüşmede, sürdürülebilir bir gelecek inşa etmek ve çevre bilincini yaygınlaştırmak adına hayata geçirilebilecek iş birliği adımlarını vurguladık.

📍 Londra, Birleşik Krallık

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

Honored to meet Kentaro Doi, Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs at @MOEJ_Climate, to discuss amplifying children’s and youth voices in climate action.

Recognizing the climate crisis as a child rights crisis, we value our strong partnership.

#ForEveryChild

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

Very productive discussions with @jica_direct_en in Tokyo.

We reflected on our shared achievements and explored concrete opportunities to deepen cooperation and unlock programmatic synergies — for greater impact #ForEveryChild.

[Kitty van der Heijden @KittyvdHeijden]

A privilege to meet Mr. Mitomo of @Sony in Tokyo and reflect on six years of continued commitment for children. Together we have helped reach 12.5M learners through the Learning Passport.

Thank you, Sony, for standing with children.

#ForEveryChild