DUSHANBE, March 18, 2013, Asia-Plus — UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CEE/CIS), Ms. Kirsi Madi, has visited Tajikistan on the occasion of the Mid-Term Review of the Country Program of Cooperation between the Government of Tajikistan and UNICEF.
According to press release issued by UNICEF CO Tajikistan, the main purpose of the visit is for Ms. Madi to review progress in UNICEF’s collaboration with Tajikistan.
A March 15 Mid-Term Review meeting was attended by representatives of key ministries, civil society organizations, development agencies and members of diplomatic missions. It was chaired by the Commission on Child Rights of the Republic of Tajikistan along with the UNICEF Representative in Tajikistan.
The Mid-Term Review meeting assessed progress made to date under the current country program (2010-2015) and discussed the situation of children in the country. The participants reviewed the proposed changes for the rest of the Country Program based on recent changes in programmatic areas of cooperation and lessons learned.
Speaking on this occasion, Ms. Kirsi Madi stressed UNICEF’s determination to use all resources at its disposal effectively and efficiently. UNICEF will continue to pay special attention to reaching the most disadvantaged and vulnerable and help these children realize their rights to reach their full potential. She thanked all the participants of the meeting for their continued partnership in support of children’s rights.
During her three-day visit to Tajikistan, the Deputy Regional Director has met with officials of the Ministries of Education, Health, Justice, as well with the Ombudsman’s Office and UN agencies in Tajikistan. The main purpose of these meetings was to discuss the future partnership of UNICEF for the benefit of children and women in this country.
Ms. Madi has visited Qurghon Teppa to familiarize herself with UNICEF’s support to the development of services for Children with Disability, as well as work to strengthen maternal and child health care. She has also met journalists who have recently been trained on Child Rights by the Union of Journalists of Tajikistan. In Dushanbe, Ms Madi has met with the parents of children with disabilities and visited the central Baby Home to familiarize herself with initiatives to prevent and reduce institutionalization of children under three.
In the framework of the Program of Cooperation between the Government of and UNICEF 2010-2015, the Government and UNICEF signed the Country Program Plan of Action (CPAP), which establishes the expected results, strategies and activities that will be implemented during the program period. The Mid-Term Review is a structured, rigorous and consensual process between the Government of the Tajikistan and UNICEF to review the performance and relevance of the Country Program. Its main purpose it to verify and evaluate its strategic contribution to the respect, protection and fulfillment of children and adolescents’ rights in the country, taking any necessary corrective measures for the second half of the Country Program and making strategic recommendations for the next program cycle.
UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
