Post by earl on Apr 23, 2008 17:01:51 GMT
Irish Aid and UNICEF sign new partnership agreement increasing funding for world’s children
NEW YORK, 23 April 2008 – UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman and Michael Kitt, Minister of State for Overseas Development at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, today signed a multi-year framework agreement in New York to strengthen the partnership between UNICEF and Irish Aid.
“Children are at the heart of the Millennium Development Goals,” Veneman said. “Ireland’s valuable contribution will support efforts to achieve those goals.”
In 2007, UNICEF received more than US$ 34.5 million in total contributions from Irish Aid, up from nearly US$ 13.4 million in 2004. This 160 per cent increase is recognition by Irish Aid that UNICEF is a priority partner in development.
Irish Aid’s contributions to core funding – which are non-earmarked donations allowing flexibility in delivering assistance on the ground – have nearly doubled over the same period, nearing $20 million and placing Ireland among the top 10 donors to UNICEF’s core budget.
Today’s agreement spells out common objectives, outlines roles and responsibilities, and sets indicators for measuring progress. It calls for concerted actions to:
• Support countries in their efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals;
• Make the delivery of essential services for children more effective through stronger collaboration with other United Nations agencies, donors and governments;
• Help children affected by natural disasters and emergencies; and
• Share knowledge and information in the areas of health, education, water and sanitation, gender and HIV and AIDS.
In addition, Irish Aid will provide substantial support to UNICEF’s work in emergency relief and recovery, in improving children’s health, including those impacted by HIV and AIDS, and in protecting their right to education.
NEW YORK, 23 April 2008 – UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman and Michael Kitt, Minister of State for Overseas Development at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, today signed a multi-year framework agreement in New York to strengthen the partnership between UNICEF and Irish Aid.
“Children are at the heart of the Millennium Development Goals,” Veneman said. “Ireland’s valuable contribution will support efforts to achieve those goals.”
In 2007, UNICEF received more than US$ 34.5 million in total contributions from Irish Aid, up from nearly US$ 13.4 million in 2004. This 160 per cent increase is recognition by Irish Aid that UNICEF is a priority partner in development.
Irish Aid’s contributions to core funding – which are non-earmarked donations allowing flexibility in delivering assistance on the ground – have nearly doubled over the same period, nearing $20 million and placing Ireland among the top 10 donors to UNICEF’s core budget.
Today’s agreement spells out common objectives, outlines roles and responsibilities, and sets indicators for measuring progress. It calls for concerted actions to:
• Support countries in their efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals;
• Make the delivery of essential services for children more effective through stronger collaboration with other United Nations agencies, donors and governments;
• Help children affected by natural disasters and emergencies; and
• Share knowledge and information in the areas of health, education, water and sanitation, gender and HIV and AIDS.
In addition, Irish Aid will provide substantial support to UNICEF’s work in emergency relief and recovery, in improving children’s health, including those impacted by HIV and AIDS, and in protecting their right to education.