REVIEW OF UNICEF IN ARMENIA

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001208 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, IO/EDA (Swaney, Bill), DEPT FOR USAID/GH (Gibb, D.) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON AM AID SUBJECT: REVIEW OF UNICEF IN ARMENIA REF: STATE 100314 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Post applauds UNICEF's efforts in partnering with many agencies in Armenia to improve the capacity of government agencies working with socially disadvantaged children, and to advocate on behalf of these same children. Per reftel request, Post notes that UNICEF's Armenia programs complement USG economic development programs. End Summary. -------------- ROLE OF UNICEF -------------- ¶3. (SBU) UNICEF continues to play a vital role in advocacy and capacity development in Armenia. The agency has identified some significant problems in Armenia including: inadequate food intake, pervasive child neglect, a lack of micronutrients in the average diet, and insufficient health care. Along with their partners, UNICEF attempts to address these needs. UNICEF programs complement USG programs. While USG resources currently focus on overall economic and democratic development, UNICEF focuses specifically on the critical needs of socially disadvantaged children and their families. Post would encourage UNICEF to more tightly focus some of its goal statements in the "Draft Country Programme Document" to help it better measure improvement in the well being of children, but overall assesses its work in Armenia positively. -------------- -------------- DESPITE IMPRESSIVE GROWTH, POVERTY REMAINS AN ISSUE -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Armenia has experienced impressive growth in real incomes, but poverty is still high, especially in rural areas. Almost 50 percent of Armenians live below the poverty line. GOAM health care spending is approximately USD 8 per person, and health care services, when available, are unaffordable for many Armenians. Government educational spending is less than one third of that spent in Armenia during the Soviet period. We believe that UNICEF's continuing support for maternal and child health programs, as well as child protection and welfare programs is vital to the implementation and success of Armenia's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). ORDWAY