UNICEF, Germany discuss results, commit to expand partnership

Bonn, 21 January 2019 – To deepen collaboration and align our joint priorities to achieve results for children everywhere, representatives from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and UNICEF met today for a one-day strategic dialogue.  

A long-standing partner, Germany is one of the largest contributors to UNICEF programmes globally.  

“I would like to thank the Government and German people for the €50 million flexible funding to UNICEF for 2018,” said Carla Haddad Mardini, Director of Public Partnerships Division, UNICEF. 

“Flexible funding is critical for reaching the most disadvantaged children in development settings and allows UNICEF to respond quickly and efficiently in emergencies, ensuring that no child is left behind,” she added. 
  

 
Also present at the dialogue were Stefan Oswald, Director General, Marshall Plan with Africa, Displacement and Migration, Commissioner for UNICEF and Elke Löbel, Director Displacement and Migration, Crisis Prevention and Management, Commissioner for Refugee Policy both from BMZ. They were joined by Marie-Pierre Poirier, Regional Director for West and Central Africa, UNICEF. 
  

Results for Children 

This strategic dialogue was an opportunity to take stock of our fruitful collaboration in 2018 by looking back on the results achieved for children.  

Last year, with the support received from Germany in the Middle East and North Africa, more than 270,000 girls and boys enrolled in formal education and 83,000 adolescents and youth in programmes to improve their professional readiness. In Ethiopia, we improved access to antenatal care in health facilities for women and delivered essential basic services for the treatment and prevention of severe acute malnutrition in Somalia.  

The two partners also discussed priorities and strategies for reaching our goal to make a difference for children in 2019. 

In 2019, UNICEF and Germany will continue to expand joint programmes in MENA and East and Southern Africa as well as explore new opportunities for cooperation in the West and Central Africa.  

To improve the lives of children affected by conflicts and crises joint focus areas will include health, nutrition, child protection, education and water, sanitation and hygiene.  

Together we will continue to collaborate on key policy dialogue issues of common concern including education in emergencies and strengthening the capabilities of government, communities and families to withstand shocks and crises.