Government - UNICEF Hold Mid-Term Review MeetingIslamabad, February 20, 2007: A joint Mid-term Review Meeting of the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was held here today, to examine the progress made so far under the current five year country programme (2004-2008) and to determine the future course of action for the benefit of the children and women of Pakistan. The meeting was chaired by the Senior Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health, Saira Karim, along with the UNICEF Representative for Pakistan, Martin Mogwanja. The meeting reviewed the effectiveness of programmes and strategies and made recommendations for changes based on implementation experience and the changing situation in maternal and child health, primary education, protection and empowerment of adolescents and provision of safe drinking water and sanitation. The Senior Joint Secretary Health, Saira Karim appreciated UNICEF for its continued support to the Government of Pakistan ever since the country’s inception and said that considerable progress has been made towards achieving the targets set in the Country Programme. She said that UNICEF is an exponent of human rights and its rights based approach to programming is highly appreciated. Ms. Karim also appreciated UNICEF for being one of the lead UN agencies in providing humanitarian support in the aftermath of 2005 earthquake. Speaking on the occasion, the UNICEF Representative, Martin Mogwanja pledged that in collaboration with the government counterparts, families and communities, UNICEF shall use all resources at its disposal to reach every child in Pakistan especially the disadvantaged and vulnerable and help these children realize their rights and potential. He thanked all government ministries and departments for their continued support to UNICEF in implementation of the Country Programme. The Mid-term Review Meeting was attended by senior officials of a host of federal and provincial ministries and departments, Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority, civil society organizations, donor agencies, members of the diplomatic corps and representative of the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia.
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