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UNICEF to help with Orissa's rehab in a big way

Onkar Singh in New Delhi

The United Nations International Children and Educational Fund has stepped up its relief effort in Orissa. It has released $ 3 million in emergency funds to finance relief activities in the state. This was disclosed by Dr Richard Young, head of UNICEF in India, in an exclusive interview with rediff.com

"Our Bhubaneswar office is currently working as the United Nations relief headquarters in India. All the officials working in Bhubaneswar have been told to help in the relief operations. We are sending a team of six officials from Delhi to add to our existing strength in the state. More officials would be sent later. We are aware of the enormity of the task ahead of us and it might take more than two years to carry out the entire operations," Young explained.

"The $ 3 million for Orissa is the largest infusion of emergency funds by UNICEF in any country since the Kosovo crisis earlier this year. In the 20 days since the super cyclone hit the state on October 29 and affected over 12 million people -- equal to the combined population of Switzerland and Norway -- the organisation has mobilised 450 tonnes of food, medicines and emergency supplies worth more than $ 1.25 million. Most of these supplies have already reached the state," Young added.

The supplies that have reached Orissa consist of 2.3 million metres of polythene and tarpaulin sheets for temporary shelters, 7.5 million chloroquine phosphate tablets to fight malaria, 14,000 tins of chlorine tablets to purify water, 10 tonnes of puffed rice, 30,000 blankets, 3,000 cartons of high energy biscuits, 50,000 jerry cans and 4.5 tonnes of candles and a fleet of vehicles for ferrying supplies.

"An estimated 3.3 million children have been affected by the storms. An undetermined number of them have been separated from their families, orphaned or injured seriously. A major component of UNICEF's activities over the next several months will address the special needs of these children, including possible family reunification and assisting the state government and non-governmental organisations to find either a new family or alternative community arrangements for orphaned children," he disclosed.

According to him, UNICEF would pump in more money into Orissa in the months to come. "We have laid out immediate, medium and long-term interventions based on the Five Rs strategy --rescue, relief, restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction -- formulated by the chief minister of Orissa, Giridhar Gamang," he added.

Young, chief of the Child Rights and Community Processes in India, felt the rights of children need to be protected in India. He elaborated on his activities thus: ''Young children, both boys and girls generally fall victims to the designs of criminal elements. Sexual and other forms of exploitation of the children, especially young girls, has to be stopped. Our 11 offices all over India have been assisting the Union government as well as the state governments in providing better living conditions for children in various parts of India.

"We have drawn a four-year programme beginning from January 1999 till 2002. Over $ 300 million would be spent during this period on various projects which include health, women empowerment, pulse polio, water and sanitation, child development, education and child rights. All these programmes would be implemented with the help of the respective state governments, nagarpalikas and gram panchayats."

Young said he was satisfied with the performance of the governmental and non- governmental organisations. "During my tenure we have not come across even one single instance wherein we had to take action against a particular NGO for diverting funds meant for the welfare of the children but this does not mean that it cannot happen. Of course, if we come across one such instance of this nature, we would immediately blacklist the organisation concerned and stop releasing funds to it," he said.

Asked what it does to ensure that the funds are not diverted, Young said before releasing financial assistance, either to governmental agencies or to NGOs, UNICEF enters into an agreement with the organisation concerned and makes it obligatory that it should give a complete account of the funds spent within a period of three months of release of these funds. Failure to do so would lead to suspension of grants to the organisation. These accounts in turn are verified by UNICEF officials who have expertise in this field.

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