survival anddevelopment (CSD)indicators, Asiaremained th:are~most,in ~eed.In 1989,some56percentofinfant andchilddeathsoccur:ed ~n~s~a, wh~l: ~t received only41percentofUNICEFresources. Theser~ous pl~ghtofch~ldren in SouthAsiawasoutlined, andonedelegation wantedassurances th~tprogramme expenditures onAsiawouldnotdecline further. Several de1egat~ons also highlighted theproblems ofpoverty andthesituation ofchildren inespecially difficult circumstances. 32.Theimportance ofwomenindevelopment wasstressed, ,withparticular attention toimproving thesituation ofthegirlchild. Thecountr~es oftheSouthAsian -57-Association forRegional Cooperation (SAARC) referred totheirdeclaration of1990 astheYearoftheGirlChild. Therewasgeneral agreement thatUNICEF should be moreunequivocal initssupport forfamilyplanning andchildspacing activities. Therewasalsoconstant reference tothedeteriorating economic environment of developing countries andtheneedtoaddress thisproblem globally ifimprovements inCSDweretobesustained andenhanced. Inthisrespect, somedelegations expressed appreciation forUNICEFefforts toexpandthedevelopment resources available todeveloping countries through socialmobilization, advocacy for adjustment anddevelopment withahumanface. 33.Several delegations calledforincreased localprocurement inordertoboost theeconomies andself-reliance ofdeveloping countries aslongasquality wasnot compromised. Somedelegations wereconcerned thattheresponse tochanges in Eastern Europe mightreducedevelopment assistance tothirdworldcountries. One delegation inparticular requested UNICEFtobemoreactivewithprogrammes for children inespecially difficult circumstances, including conducting operations research inthatarea. Middle EastandNorthAfrica 34.Theprogramme ofco-operation inDemocratic Yemenwaspresented bytheUNICEF representative. Thiswasfollowed bytheRegional Director's overview ofUNICEF assistance totheregion. Itwasstressed thattheeconomic situation ofthe region haddeteriorated, although impressive gainsinchildsurvival hadbeenmade recently. 35.Several delegations appreciated UNICEFactivities inthecountries ofthe region, itscontributions toCSDandthededication ofitsstaff,especially in conflict situations. Theheroic endeavours toensurechildren's health and protection inLebanon, aswellastheEducation forPeaceprogramme, werewarmly commended. Several delegations praised theassistance toPalestinian children in general andthephysiotherapy project intheoccupied territories inparticular, butstressed thattheproblems weresoenormous thatmuchmoreneededtobedone. Thesecretariat hopedthatthecomingyearswouldseemoreresponse totheneedsof children there. 36.Delegations laudedtheExecutive Director inhisroleasPersonal Representative oftheSecretary-General forOperation Lifeline Sudanin1989and underlined thesuccess ofthathumanitarian effortdespite heavyodds. Some delegations notedthatPhase11oftheoperation wasjuststarting andurgedall countries toprovide timelysupport toit. 37.Theimportance ofsustainability, childspacing anddebtrelief wasstressed bysomedelegations. Onedelegation feltthattheincrease intheUNICEF budget fortheregion wasinsufficient, especially foreducation andnutrition. Social mobilization efforts intheregion werecommended byonedelegation. Theregion's focusonthegirlchild,maternal mortality, femaleeducation andliteracy andon children inespecially difficult circumstances wasappreciated. Onedelegation singled outthesuccessful experiment withvocational education andKoranic schools intheNorthAfrican countries. 38.Inresponse toaquestion aboutwhether Operation Lifeline Sudanhaddiverted attention fromregular programmes suchasEPI,waterandsanitation andeducation, itwaspointed outthatwhiletheimmense loadoftheoperation hadatfirstput extrapressure onotherprogrammes, thoseprogrammes werenowrunning normally. -58-Interregional 39.Seveninterregional programme proposals weresubmitted forapproval. Several delegations expressed general concern withtheproliferation ofglobal fundstobe
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a report on a meeting or conference discussing various development issues, with a focus on the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and its programs. The text touches on several topics, including economic development, poverty, child mortality, education, and humanitarian aid, but the primary focus is on the well-being of children and the development of countries.

**Category**
Health, Humanitarian aid and relief