Climate Change at the Core of UNICEF’s Fact-Finding Mission in the Gobi
16 March, Ulaanbaatar – UNICEF team of twelve specialists led by Mr. Evariste Kouassi-Komlan, UNICEF Representative in Mongolia, worked in Dundgobi, Umnugobi, Dornogobi and Sukhbaatar aimags from 9-16 March. Mongolia’s Gobi aimags, most affected by climate change, became the first ones in a series of fact-finding mission trips, undertaken by UNICEF for situational analysis and gathering inputs into the planning of UNICEF’s 2023-2027 Country Programme.
If up until now UNICEF concentrated its work in four aimags and one capital city district, from next year the United Nations child rights organization will have a universal outreach approach by targeting areas with highest need in the country.
Dundgobi aimag: assessing climate resilient programming
The Chair of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Air Pollution Reduction, MP Saranchimeg Batsukh and the aimag Governor Munkhbat Tsagaankhuu hosted the UNICEF delegation in Dundgobi. Addressing climate change impacts, including severe desertification, leading to loss of livelihoods, issues of water scarcity and quality as well as education and child protection were central in defining upcoming areas of collaboration between Dundgobi aimag and UNICEF.
Umnugobi aimag: 2022 Joint Workplan signed
Umnugobi aimag made much progress in all areas of 2017-2022 “Child Friendly Community Programme” jointly implemented with UNICEF. The UNICEF team visited “Shim Bileg” Family Health Centre in Dalanzadgad, the centre of Umnugobi aimag, that serves 14,000 people. The mission team got updated on COVID-19 vaccination progress and activities of community health workers supported by UNICEF as a pilot initiative. The team members also visited Khanbogd soum, Oyu Tolgoi mine and Tsagaankhad settlement area.
On 10 March UNICEF Representative Evariste Kouassi-Komlan and aimag Governor Seddorj Renchinbyamba signed the 2022 Annual Workplan between the two parties in the areas of education, development, health and nutrition, child protection and WASH.
Dornogobi aimag: Year of Child Development - 2022
Dornogobi aimag declared 2022 as "The Year of Child Development”. UNICEF Representative, Evariste Kouassi-Komlan met with the Governor, Mr. Batjargal Ochirpurev. It was agreed that UNICEF will provide further support in the areas of combatting violence against children and domestic violence, supporting adolescent health education and safety of children in educational settings and capacity building of doctors and social workers.
Sukhbaatar aimag: Cooperation on reduction of air pollution
On 16 March, the UNICEF Team met with aimag Governor, Iderbat Manlaibaatar, and aimag administration officials. The parties agreed to cooperate on air pollution reduction, mental health and child friendly community areas.
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