THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor P Sathasivam has lauded the efforts being made under the aegis of UNICEF in making the country more children friendly.
Speaking at the launch of the anniversary ceremony of UNICEF here on Monday, he said since its formation on December 11,1946, UNICEF has been providing aid without any discrimination due to race, creed, nationality and status of political belief.
“The UNICEF believes that there is hope for every child. The conviction that every child is born with same inalienable right to healthy, safe childhood has been a constant thread through the history of the organisation,” he pointed out. It was gratifying to note that the UNICEF was in the forefront in ensuring human rights for children.
He pointed out that UNICEF could actively respond in risky situations for the safety and welfare of the children across the world. He recollected that, during the days of Partition in India, UNICEF had engaged its machinery to ensure that milk feeding children were taken care off.
In 1960 famine in Bihar, it had contributed 50 convoys of vehicles carrying food items.
Emphasising the contribution made by the UNICEF in Kerala, he said the genesis of Kudumbasree programme and Kerala being declared ‘Baby Friendly’ state in the country could be attributed to the initiatives undertaken by the UNICEF.
Governor pointed out that Kerala had the best child development indicators in the country including factors like infant mortality rate. He said it was the children who were mostly affected by conflicts, contagious diseases and famine.