By IRNA,
Islamabad : The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Thursday signed an agreement for enhanced collaboration to support mainstreaming services for Afghans in the Joint Programs under One UN.
This new initiative between the two UN Agencies is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s Management and Repatriation Strategy for Afghans in Pakistan for the years 2010-2012.
During the last 30 years, UNHCR has been supporting primary education services in the schools located in the refugee villages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Punjab provinces. UNICEF has been supporting the government in its efforts for equitable access to basic education for all children through capacity building, service delivery and advocacy.
The collaboration between UNHCR-UNICEF as stipulated in this partnership indicates that UNICEF will collaborate for the inclusion of assistance for Afghans in the areas of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Education, Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition and Child Protection and Education in the agency’s relevant programs.
Presently, UNHCR is providing free elementary education to more than 74,000 Afghans through 176 schools in 81 camps. In addition to the provision of free education, the agency also facilitates the repair and maintenance of schools, provide teacher’s salaries and school supplies to students. Under the signed initiative, UNICEF will include Afghan children and women in the agency’s programmes to achieve sustainable solutions and ensure their rights to access social services during their stay in the country.
Currently, 60 per cent of the total Afghans reside in urban areas in Pakistan access public education services. The strengthened partnership between the two agencies will enhance advocacy and inclusion of Afghan children in the government’s education policies and programs.
Mengesha Kebede, Country Representative Pakistan said that “UNHCR is entering into new cooperation with sister UN agencies to strengthen partnership in finding durable solutions for the protracted Afghan refugee situation in Pakistan”. He noted that the collaboration will contribute to building social equity, human development and promote social cohesion in the host Pakistani communities.
UNICEF Representative, Mr. Don Rohrmann stated that UNICEF’s programmes aim for inclusion and equity and thus Afghan children’s rights are included in UNICEF’s education programme across the country.
UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan, Mr. Timo Pakkala witnessed the signing ceremony.