Improved budgeting, funding for Childresponsive interventions will curb poverty – UNICEF

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Stakeholders have been informed that improved budgeting and funding for Childresponsive interventions will help immensely toward addressing poverty in the society.

The Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Chief of Field Office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi, Mohammed Kamfut stated this in a goodwill message at Northeast -states Strategic Policy Dialogue on Social Budgeting for Child-Sensitive Sectors in Nigeria in Gombe on Wednesday.

Kamfut, said the dialogue is expected to brainstorm on how to improve the lives of children in Northeast Nigeria.

Kamfut who was represented by Dr. Yusuf Auta, Policy Specialist Bauchi Field Office of UNICEF, said the dialogue brings together a diverse group of stakeholders who are actively engaged in budget development and implementation.

According to him, the dialogue aims to collaboratively chart a pathway for adequate and sustainable financing of the social sectors in the region.

He said over the past 30 years, global efforts have consistently aimed to honor commitments to children which include taking all necessary measures to safeguard and advance their rights, ensuring they have the resources to survive, develop, and
thrive, as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“Since the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals at the turn of the Millennium, there has been remarkable progress in reducing poverty and enhancing the living conditions of millions of children and families”, Kamfut said.

He however, regretted that despite the advancements, many of the world’s poorest and most disadvantaged children continue to be left behind.

UNICEF further pointed out that Poverty infringes upon children’s human rights and perpetuates a relentless cycle of
deprivation that is challenging to break without adequate support.

“It leads to numerous adverse outcomes for children, including hunger, malnutrition, poor health, and limited or no access to quality education and essential services”, Kamfut stated.

He noted that as Children grow older and remain in poverty, the impact of such deprivations
intensifies and further diminish their opportunities to reach their full potential.