MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
Children in the Pacific will benefit from a new agreement signed today between the Australian Government and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Bruce Billson, said.
Under the Pacific agreement, Australia will contribute $9 million over five years for UNICEF programs in the areas of immunisation, adolescent health promotion and the protection of children against abuse and neglect.
'The Australian Government, through AusAID, aims to have a real impact on not only preventing child illness, but also helping them become more aware of their own health,' Mr Billson said.
'Although many Pacific Island countries have made advances in immunisation coverage, assistance is still needed in countries with small populations or where governments are struggling to keep up with rapidly increasing populations.
'Australian Government funding will immunise children under five against preventable diseases and women of childbearing ages, and aims to effectively promote healthy lifestyles for young Pacific Islanders,' Mr Billson said.
'The new agreement will also enable UNICEF to build on existing achievements and help Pacific governments and communities create legal and social structures to protect children from abuse and neglect.
'The development of a nation's young people is critical to the social and economic strength of a society and this program will hopefully support a generation of secure, healthy and active children,' Mr Billson said.
'Australia is committed to working together with our Pacific partners, UNICEF and other donors to ensure development gains continue in the region,' Mr Billson said.
Countries that will benefit from the new agreements include the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie (Mr Billson's office) 0408 680 442
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590