Colombia Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar

Colombia's Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar, the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare known as ICBF, was established in 1968 under President Carlos Lleras Restrepo at the initiative of First Lady Cecilia de la Fuente de Lleras, through legislation popularly called the Cecilia law, in response to widespread child malnutrition and family instability affecting Colombian children. Its mission centers on the prevention and comprehensive protection of early childhood, childhood and adolescence and on strengthening young people and families, with particular attention to children whose rights are threatened, disregarded or violated. Nutrition has remained one of the institute's central instruments from the start: ICBF now reaches nearly 3 million Colombians through 33 regional headquarters and 215 zonal centers nationwide, delivering a broad range of programs that include nutritional support alongside emergency care and legal assistance for children and families.