Sindh govt, Unicef discuss plans to improve various sectors

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has underscored the robust partnership between the provincial government and Unicef. The CM and Unicef Representative for Pakistan Abdullah A Fadil, who called on him on Wednesday, discussed the current two-year rolling workplans (2023-2024).

These jointly developed and approved workplans encompass a wide array of crucial sectors like health; nutrition; education; child protection; water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH); planning & development; social welfare; local government; and labour & human resources.

Shah said Unicef’s strategic support is strategically aligned with the provincial government’s core objectives of fostering inclusive, resilient and gender-responsive development across the province. He said that important initiatives within the multi-sectoral work plan are yielding tangible results.

Unicef’s $5.5 million health project is bolstering Sindh’s health infrastructure by enhancing maternal, neonatal & child health services, and fortifying the Expanded Programme on Immunisation.

Discussing these initiatives with the Unicef country head, the CM said his government’s focus remains on ensuring equitable access, and achieving comprehensive immunisation coverage throughout Sindh.

The nutrition project of Rs17.5 million emphasises improving the nutritional well-being of mothers and children, addressing adolescent health, and promoting early childhood development. The critical mission of polio eradication continues with Unicef providing vital technical, human resource and communication support to the Emergency Operations Centre.

The child protection project is a $3.2 million programme under which efforts are under way to strengthen child protection mechanisms through crucial policy reforms, impactful awareness campaigns, the enforcement of birth registration laws, and proactive strategies to prevent child abuse and harmful traditional practices. This includes capacity-building initiatives and the roll-out of a comprehensive child protection management system.

The Unicef’s $7 million partnership with the Sindh Education Department aims at reducing the number of out-of-school children, fostering early learning opportunities, strengthening educational data management, and elevating the professional skills of teachers. Shah said that there was a dedicated focus on enhancing adolescent learning and providing valuable skill-building opportunities, particularly for girls.

The $16.8 million WASH initiatives are geared towards developing climate-resilient water & sanitation infrastructure, providing essential policy support, and building local capacity. The CM said community engagement is a central pillar to ensure the long-term sustainability of these vital services. Progress of these vital initiatives is rigorously monitored by a high-level steering committee headed by the chief secretary, he added.

Shah appreciated Unicef’s consistent technical and financial support. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to deepening its collaboration with Unicef to achieve lasting developmental impact for children and vulnerable communities across Sindh.