UNICEF, ECCAS join forces for children in Central

Africa
LIBREVILLE/DAKAR, 29 February 2015 The Economic Community of Central
African States (ECCAS) and UNICEF signed a partnership today to work together
in promoting and supporting the survival and development of children across the
Central African region.
Through this agreement, both organizations are teaming up to advocate for
childrens rights through the formulation of policies and legislation aimed at
improving the well-being of children and women in a region which is affected by
growing vulnerabilities.
With the goal to gradually accelerate progress for the most vulnerable children
and mothers across ECCAS member states, UNICEF and ECCAS will develop a
plan of action that includes a set of programs in areas as vital as health and
HIV/AIDS, access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation, nutrition, child protection
and education in emergencies.
Saving more childrens lives across Central Africa is within our reach if all
countries work together, said Jacques Boyer, UNICEF Representative in Gabon.
It will take ambitious partnerships such as this one to ensure that the most
disadvantaged children in the region are prioritised in policy decisions being
taken today nothing less will be enough to stamp out child poverty.
With support from other partners and donors, this regional collaboration is
expected to progressively lead to tangible and positive results for children and
their families, including:

Stronger community-based health systems, with a special focus on health

in humanitarian emergencies and elimination of HIV transmission from
mother to child;

Increased investment and scaling up of interventions to reduce chronic

malnutrition among children under 5;

Improved access to safe drinking water and sanitation in rural areas,

including in emergency situations;

Enhanced civil registration systems and increased efforts in the fight

against child marriage and the protection of children in conflict.

Every social policy remains meaningless unless it focuses on womens and

childrens rights and well-being which lay the foundations for the future, said
Ahmad Allam-Mi, Secretary- General of the Economic Community of Central
African States. The strengthening of the cooperation between ECCAS and
UNICEF is the proof of our common willingness and commitment to promote
women and childrens rights.
The partnership will leverage UNICEFs expertise on childrens rights with the
ECCAS longstanding commitment to promote peace, prosperity and solidarity in
Central Africa. Both organizations will jointly develop and implement resource
mobilization strategies for the financing of the planned activities.
While significant economic and social advances are reported in Central Africa,
the region remains generally characterized by high rates of maternal and infant
mortality in many countries, high proportion of mothers, children and
adolescents living with HIV without antiretroviral treatment, low birth registration
rate, high prevalence of sexual violence and child marriages against girls, low
access to safe drinking water and sanitation and a high level of chronic
malnutrition in several countries.
About ECCAS

The main objective of ECCAS is to promote and strengthen a harmonious

co-operation and a dynamic, balanced and self- maintained development
in all fields of economic and social activity in central Africa.

About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do.
Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate
that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the
most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org or follow
UNICEF on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information, please contact:

In Libreville: Brahim Ould Isselmou, UNICEF, +241 04 84 10 29,

boulisselmou@unicef.org
Placide Ibounaga-Ndinga, ECCAS, +241 44 47 31,
placide.ibounagandinga@gmail.com
In Dakar: Laurent Duvillier, +221 77 740 35 77, lduvillier@unicef.org