Unicef to provide $28m in aid for RI children<\/p>\n
PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): The United Nations Children's
\nFund (Unicef) plans to provide a total of US$28 million this year
\nto help Indonesian children.<\/p>\n
The Unicef representative for Indonesia and Malaysia,
\nStephen J. Woodhouse, told journalists on Thursday that donor
\ncountries, such as Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Japan
\nand some world-renowned companies, had agreed to take part in the
\naid program.<\/p>\n
\"(But) we have collected only about $13 million until now,\" he
\nsaid, adding that last year Unicef provided $25 million to deal
\nwith malnutrition among children in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Woodhouse was in Purwokerto to attend a ceremony marking the
\nIndonesian-Unicef cooperation agreement.<\/p>\n
Unicef will focus on children in West, Central and East Java,
\nWest and East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, Maluku and Irian
\nJaya.<\/p>\n
\"The eight provinces deserve the aid,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The agreement covers five substantial programs: maternal and
\nearly childhood care; basic education for all; children in need
\nof special protection; policy development and advocacy and
\nemergency support.<\/p>\n
He said on Thursday that malnutrition levels among Indonesian
\nchildren were alarming, particularly since the economic crisis
\nhit the country in 1997.<\/p>\n
Repeating his earlier statement, Woodhouse warned Indonesia of
\nthe possibility of losing a generation of children if children's
\nhealth and education were not sufficiently tackled.<\/p>\n
\"About one-third of children under five years old, or almost
\neight million children, are malnourished. This is very serious
\nand needs serious care from all Indonesians, including the
\nparents,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Woodhouse criticized Indonesian fathers who always set aside
\nmoney to buy cigarettes, while their family faced financial
\nproblems at the same time.<\/p>\n
\"The money for a pack of cigarettes could be used for eggs or
\nother healthy food for the children.\"(45\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/unicef-to-provide-28m-in-aid-for-ri-children-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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