|
|
Mr. President,
We thank you for your able, dynamic and focused leadership of the Board.
We thank Executive Director UNICEF, Mr. Anthony Lake, for his course-setting statement earlier. We also commend UNICEF for submission of well-researched reports on its various functions; and preparation of needs-based country program documents.
UNICEF is a caring agency, engaged in the noble mission of protection and development of children worldwide. This is a direct investment in the future of mankind and in peace, stability and harmony. This is our experience in Pakistan too.
Mr. President,
The country programmes on Palestine and the Palestinian children in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon are timely. The Middle East conflict has taken a heavy physical toll on civilian populations, including children and women, both inside Palestine and in the neighbouring countries hosting Palestinian refugees. The latest aggression has added to the plight of the helpless Palestinians. Indiscriminate aerial bombardment killed, maimed and terrorized civilians, particularly children. The blockade made things worse. The needs of protecting and providing for the children have multiplied. Nearly 70% of Gaza inhabitants receive assistance from UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Around 4 million Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon are mostly dependent on humanitarian assistance. Stunting rate in Palestinian children is between 10-12 percent. These statistics point to the crucial role of UNICEF in protecting Palestinian children within Palestine and the neighboring countries.
Mr. President,
We encourage UNICEF to continue to closely monitor the evolving situation. We also support UNICEF's continuing efforts to address the complex needs of Palestinian children, including the psychological impact of the conflict. UNICEF can also play a crucial role as the cluster-lead agency on humanitarian affairs.
Mr. President,
We appreciate UNICEF’s long-standing contribution to the protection and development of children in Pakistan. UNICEF played a crucial role in the aftermath of the floods in 2010 and 2011, which had put over 9 million children at risk of disease and hunger. UNICEF’s timely assistance for nutrition, health and education saved lives and ensured uninterrupted schooling for children in the affected areas. We also appreciate UNICEF’s cooperation with Pakistani agencies and entities on ongoing projects for improving water quality and sanitation in schools, reducing maternal and infant mortality, improving child nutrition, and combating infectious diseases.
Mr. President,
Field visits are an important monitoring, assessment and evaluation tool for the UNICEF. Pakistan was part of the field visits undertaken to Sudan, Burkina Faso, Panama and El Salvador. Our delegation will be making a presentation on the visit to Panama and El Salvador. We welcome the upcoming planned visit to Jordan early next year. We hope that the visit to Jordon would enhance our understanding of the complex humanitarian situation in the region.
I thank you.