Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04YEREVAN1208
2004-05-25 06:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

REVIEW OF UNICEF IN ARMENIA

Tags:  EAID ECON AM AID 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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

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