UNICEF leaves Andaman after post-tsunami opn

Port Blair, Jun 27: United Nations International Children's Educational Fund is finally bidding goodbye to the tsunami-hit islands after 28 months of post-tsunami operation in this remote archipelago.

Earlier on June 18, UNICEF had officially declared to wind up their activities since the entire fund for the overall development of these islands had been exhausted and UNICEF was considering other 'Priorities' in other parts of world.

''The withdrawal of UNICEF support is prematured and should have been continued for some more time,'' Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Rehabilitation, Dharam Pal said during a farewell programme here last night.

The Development Commissioner Janak Digal mentioned that the work done by the Programme Coordinator, UNICEF, Subhash Mishra and his team were excellent in the field of health, education and social sector.

Mr Subhash Mishra, Programme Coordinator, UNICEF expressed gratitude to the Administration for extending support to his team for implementation of various projects in the reconstruction process and expressed hope that with the infrastructural support and Human Resource Development of the officials of Health, Education and Social Welfare Departments the officials can now perform excellently in the various fields in which they were trained.

UNICEF started functioning in these islands from January 2005, one month after the tsunami, following request from the Centre.

UNICEF had established the Central Surveillance Laboratory (CSL) and international standard Sick and Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) in these islands.

UNICEF has also finished training of 700 teachers in child centered and activity based learning.

However, UNICEF promised that link with the government would be maintained and technical support like training of personnel would still be provided, if asked for.

The organisation is also prepared to provide design for research in malnutrition among the children in the islands, if any organisation planned to do so.

UNI