The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has granted roughly $17m in support for the Egyptian government’s efforts combating the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat.
The minister’s announcement came following her virtual meeting with UNICEF’s Representative in Egypt, Bruno Maes. During the virtual meeting, the two sides discussed their current and future areas of cooperation in addressing the pandemic in Egypt, as well as child protection and women’s empowerment.
Minister Al-Mashat stressed the importance of the compatibility of projects implemented by UNICEF in Egypt with her ministry’s new strategy in partnership with international financing institutions.
This is based on three main routes, namely that the citizen remains the focus of attention, ongoing projects remain at the forefront, with the goal being the driving force.
Maes said that Egypt has successfully achieved several goals and enacted broad reforms in the protection and care of children. This, in turn, has led to a reduction in child mortality rates and an increase in access to education.
He added that UNICEF has, over the past two years, been able to provide about $100m in grants to Egypt. This funding has been implemented in several areas covering social and health protection for children and women, including projects in the neediest areas, such as North Sinai.
Maes added that the Ministry of International Cooperation’s request for medical supplies will be met in the coming period. He praised the ministry’s new strategy in partnership with international financing institutions, which will contribute to developing areas of cooperation between Egypt and UNICEF during the coming period.
