DRC: UNICEF, Gov’t sign plan to aid women, children

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

KINSHASA, 3 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have signed a new plan of action to mobilise US $93.9 million to support government, civil society and development partners' efforts to improve the living conditions of the nation's most vulnerable groups.

"The main areas of intervention are the survival and the development of children, the response to humanitarian emergencies and the fight against atrocities which prevail in some regions," said Tony Bloomberg, UNICEF representative in the DRC, on Thursday.

He said the plan, which is spread over a two-year period, would also focus on basic education, with special attention to girls and children who have been forced out of school.

Other areas of intervention would include "the fight against the impact of AIDS on children and adolescents, the protection of children against violence, abuse and discrimination and the reinforcement of children's special needs in national laws and budgetary allocations," he said.

Banza Mukalayi Sumbu, the DRC's deputy minister of cooperation, signed the document on behalf of the government and welcomed UNICEF's intervention to improve the situation of women and children in DRC, two of Africa's most vulnerable groups.

The last plan of action that UNICEF and Congolese government signed was for 2003 to 2005.

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