UNICEF responded with Adjustment with a Human Face, which argued that children must be protected during economic crises. It argued for more expansionary macroeconomic policies to generate employment, public-sector investments to serve the poor, and the establishment of social-protection systems.
很多发展中国家低收入人群中新生儿死亡率上升，不平等现象也愈发严重。 上述时期被称为“失去的十年。” 联合国儿童基金会因此提出了人性化调整计划，提出儿童利益必须在经济危机中得到保护。 儿基会主张实行更为宽松的宏观经济政策，在为穷人创造就业和公共投资机会的同时建立社会保障体系。