International child health and humanitarian agencies: a short history of the last century and reflections on the era to come

The existence of international agencies dedicated to the health and well-being of children has spanned only the last 100 years, and has coincided with unprecedented progress in child health. A brief history of these agencies is reviewed, the strategies they supported and the challenges they faced, in the context of the last turbulent century, and the current State of the World’s children. Ultimately, these agencies are as effective as the people who support them, and this is a role for paediatricians and child health workers everywhere.