MADAGASCAR: UN cooperation agreement to tackle poverty

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 14 Feb 2005 (IRIN) - A recent cooperation agreement between three UN agencies and Madagascar, worth US $101 million, is expected to give impetus to the government's efforts to reduce widespread poverty.

The partnership brings together the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in a joint bid to tackle five key areas of concern in the impoverished island country.

"The agreement will extend to 2009 and is very much in line with the broader objective of helping Madagascar achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals. Therefore, food security, governance, improving education and health and, of course, fighting HIV/AIDS, are some of the main concerns," UNDP Country Representative, Bouri Sanhouidi, told IRIN.

According to a World Bank ranking, Madagascar is the world's ninth-poorest country, where some 70 percent of the population struggles to survive on less than US $1 a day.

Bouri explained that UNDP would offer technical support to improve capacity in local and regional political institutions, and contribute to efforts aimed at stamping out corruption. The agency would also direct its attention towards promoting small businesses, youth employment and private sector development.

"With a combined strategy, UN agencies and the government can expect maximum results. Much needs to be done in a country which has many social problems," he added.

Madagascar has some of the world's worst social indicators, and UNFPA efforts would likely be channelled into improving reproductive health and access to primary healthcare.

Priority areas for UNICEF over the next four years include a coordinated effort to formally protect and expand the rights of children, as nearly half the island's 15 million inhabitants are less than 18 years old.

The grim reality is that almost 100,000 Malagasy children aged under five die each year from preventable diseases, such as malaria, diarrhoea and acute respiratory illnesses. Half of the nation's children (and 50 percent of the total population) suffer from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition.

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