Germany supports Libya with €1m towards kids immunization

Germany is increasing its assistance to the United nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) towards expansion in the immunization of Libyan children.

This was disclosed after a meeting between the German Ambassador Christian Much and UNICEF Special Representative for Libya Ghassan Khalil after they signed an agreement to that effect on Monday (June 20)

The assistance would ensure a strengthening of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Libya, where children constitute about 40% of the population.

“Children comprise around 40 percent of the Libyan population, and they are considered as the most vulnerable. Helping them is a huge priority. This is why we are now increasing our assistance to children for the second time in 2016,” Mr. Much said.

#Germany support children survival and development in Libya with a 1M Euros contribution to #UNICEFAuswaertigesAmt pic.twitter.com/Q4WHrzzWaj

— UNICEF Libya (UnicefLibya) June 20, 2016

Dr. Khalil on his part said, “The support of Germany to the immunization system in Libya comes very timely during very difficult circumstances,’‘ adding that “UNICEF is very grateful for Germany’s generous contribution and continuous support to the children of Libya,” he added.

The funding will further enable UNICEF’s Health programme to boost the national capacities for delivering quality immunization services and to support children’s survival and development.

The contribution will provide support to strategic focus areas which include:

• Cold chain and Vaccine Management;
• Information Sharing Systems;
• Mid-level Managers Training on Immunization;
• New-born mortality and morbidity reduction;
• Reduction of under-5 morbidity and mortality; and
• Development of a communication plan for the immunization programme