Welcome words
Welcome to UNICEF Angola! UNICEF is working to make a difference for the children of Angola by supporting the national implementation of the Convention o the Rights of the Child (CRC) and in pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals.
The Country is now showing clear evidence of recovery from the effects of the civil war. Nevertheless, challenges remain after three decades of war Working in partnership with the Angolan Government and a large number of other partner organizations, UNICEF ensures an effective contribution to children’s survival, development and protection through advocacy and partnerships that generate sustained investments.. UNICEF Angola shares its expertise and enhances outreach with one overall aim - to promote the rights of children in Angola. The Country is now showing clear evidence of recovery from the effects of the civil war. Nevertheless, challenges remain after three decades of war, which ended in 2002. The war destroyed much national physical infrastructure; poverty is dire, particularly in the predominant rural sector; and wealth and income are heavily concentrated. The rate of mortality among children under the age of five is the third highest in the world (250 deaths for every 1,000 live births) with 221,000 children under 5 dying annually. Additionally, 8.5 million Angolans do not have access to safe water and 10.5 million have no access to sanitation. 88% of diarrhoeal deaths are attributed to lack of water for hygiene, unsafe water supplies, and poor access to sanitary means for excreta disposal. Under-nutrition is a contributing cause in over 60% of diarrhea deaths, 57% of malaria deaths, and 52% of pneumonia deaths. To ensure Angola reaches the MDGs, under 5 year old deaths need to be reduced from 221,000 to 74,000 per year (250 to 83/1000), maternal mortality needs o be reduced from 1,500 to 375/100,000 deliveries and investment is required to ensure 6.7 million new water users (750,000 p.a) and 8.1 million new users for sanitation (900,000 p.a). While the recorded HIV/AIDS sero-prevalence rate of 3.9% is lower than in other Southern African countries, indicators point towards a steady rise in cases in border provinces, with rates as high as 9.2% in the province of Cunene. Seeking opportunities for children remains an important role of UNICEF Angola to meet the dynamic changes taking place within the country. One key initiative developed jointly by UNICEF, WHO and the World Bank is the Acceleration of Child Survival and Development strategy (ACSD). ACSD is a strategic framework and investment model for reaching the Child Survival and other Health related Millennium Development Goals in Angola, through Health System strengthening and implementation of integrated packages of high-impact and low-cost Health, Water, Sanitation, HIV and Nutrition interventions. Good progress has been made to get children into school and efforts are underway to improve the quality of schooling an ensure both girls and boys remain in school and leave with quality qualifications. UNICEF is assisting the Ministry of Education to roll out the education reform, through training for primary teachers, school directors and managers. To implement Child Friendly Schools, UNICEF, WFP and WHO have supported the Ministries of Education and Health to develop a comprehensive strategy on School Health Promotion. 2007 is a critical moment for UNICEF and the UN to promote collaboration and partnerships, and ensure that existing resources are adequately channeled into social sectors. Cement existing relationships and building new ones in 2007 is essential to overcome the vast development challenges faced in Angola. Angela Kearney UNICEF Representative in Angola
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