UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has asked the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for help in re-opening schools in both old and new temporary locations in flood-devastated towns, as the agency’s executive board adopted a $900 million, four-year (2023 to 2027) country programme aimed at the uplift of the nation’s 80 million children.
Speaking at the board’s meeting, Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, also sought assistance in the prevention of water-borne and communicable diseases and immunisation of children, and ensuring food security by providing nutrition for children with the view to provide relief.
The envoy said the devastating flood was a manifestation of the country’s vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate change, pointing out that of the 33 million affected people, millions of children were in urgent need of health services, nutrition, shelter, water and sanitation as well as education.
“We hope that UNICEF together with the government will not only provide emergency supplies, but also contribute actively to the rehabilitation of millions of children,” he said.
Pakistan, he added, confronts challenges in providing the basic needs for development, including for its children, as the Covid-19 crisis, climate-induced disasters, including the recent epic floods, spiralling food and energy prices and security challenges have constrained its ability to respond to the goals of ensuring the nutritional, health, education and other needs of the children, particularly the most disadvantaged among them.
Akram also underscored the need for opening new schools, strengthening the infrastructure of existing schools and developing digital platforms for e-learning to ensure that around 20 million out-of-school are able to attend school.
In this regard, he said UNICEF should work with the government to meet the nutritional needs of children for their optimal growth and development.
Pakistan will also work with agencies to end all forms of violence against children so that they can live in safety and with dignity, Ambassador Akram said.
Noting that of the total $900 million allocated for the programme, only $190 million is earmarked through regular resources, while $725 million is to be secured from other resources, he hoped UNICEF will be able to secure the required funding to ensure the full implementation of the identified programme priorities.
