The UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) has granted the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) $40,5-million for the implementation of a three-year childrens programme, Unicef reported on Monday.
The Unicef Board approved $48,6-million in additional financial resources ”to ensure that the objectives are met during the three-year programme”, the agency reported.
”The programme is expected to improve the respect of the rights of all Congolese children, particularly the most vulnerable ones,” Unicef reported.
The 2003-2005 programme follows a transitional one, that focused on achieving the goals set by the World Summit in favour of children. Unicef said it, the DRC government and representatives of civil society developed the programme jointly.
Childhood development, education for girls and the prevention of HIV/Aids are some of the programme’s priorities, Unicef said.
”These priorities will be supported by strategic interventions in communication, planning and support to the development of social policies,” it added.
It said that this Master Plan of Cooperation 2003-2005 reflected both the concern to decentralise and ensure the sustainability of activities, as well as an improved coordination in the field with the view to improving synergy and efficiency in favour of Congolese women and children. – Irin