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  • Title: General condition of children in the Indo-Chinese Peninsula and type of UNICEF programmes.
    Author: Tanumidjaja TM.
    Journal: Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health; 1982 Sep; 13(3):301-5. PubMed ID: 7163832.
    Abstract:
    The total population in the three countries of the Indo-China Peninsula is 62.5 million (1980 estimate) out of which children under the age of 15 comprises 43.9%. Over 80% of the total population belong to rural areas. Available statistics indicate that problems such as high infant and child mortality, high incidence of communicable diseases, malnutrition, low enrollment rate for education, poor quality of education, inadequacy of child care services and poor environmental health conditions, are prevalent in these countries. UNICEF's programmes are geared towards the reduction of these problems and thus cover the following fields: (a) child health; (b) child nutrition, (c) water supply and sanitation, (d) formal and non-formal education, (e) social welfare services for children. The extent to which UNICEF could provide in terms of technical, material and financial assistance is rather small compared to the size of the problem and thus significant efforts will have to be made by the Governments as well as by the U.N. community and voluntary agencies to overcome these problems. Little is known or discussed about the general condition of children in the Indo-Chinese Peninsula, but the fact is that these children are experiencing very high levels of morbidity, mortality, and adverse socioeconomic conditions. An attempt is made to describe the general situation and to identify the priority problems and needs of children in these countries. Also included is a description of the types of programs which the UN International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is undertaking in the 3 countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Kampuchea. The total population in the 3 countries of the Indo-China Peninsula is 62.5 million out of which children under age 15 comprise 43.9%. Over 80% of the population reside in rural areas and the population density varies from 15 persons/sq km to 151 persons/sq km in Vietnam. As far as UNICEF classification for assistance is concerned, these 3 countries belong to Group 1, i.e., most seriously affected (MSA) group of countries. This is evidence by the following indicators: gross national product per capita of around US$100; infant mortality rates of 175-200/1000 live births; and expectations of life at birth around 40 years. All reflect the underlying high levels of mortality and the adverse socioeconomic conditions that prevail in this group of countries. There is also increasing evidence of serious deterioration in the condition of vulnerable groups, particularly young children. Information on nutritional status of children has amply supported this view. Similarly, whatever information available shows the evidence of other growing problems facing children. Added to this situation is the fact that the Indo-Chinese Peninsula continued to be an arena for political conflicts and tensions. The main problems among children, particularly among those of the younger age groups are: health; environmental health; education; and social welfare. UNICEF's programs are geared towards the reduction of these problems and thus cover the following fields: child health and nutrition; water supply and sanitation; formal and nonformal education; and social welfare services for children. In Vietnam and Laos, UNICEF has been closely associated with the respective governments in the realization of their social policy objectives. These include extension of the primary health care network, expanding immunization, strengthening the antiepidemic network and providing basic facilities for improvement of environmental sanitation. In the area of diarrheal diseases control, UNICEF has baeen extensively involved in the provision of oral rehydration salts in these countries. In Kampuchea, UNICEF assistance coordinates humanitarian relief operations with the participation of certain UN organizations.
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