solutions toAfrican problems". Delegations feltthatUNICEFshouldnotlosesight ofthemajorefforts madebyGovernments andthepeopleofthestricken countries themselves, whohadmobilized theirhumanandmaterial resources toimprove the situation. Inviewoftheirhistorical background andtheircurrentcrisis, the primary interest ofAfrican countries liesindeveloping theirowneconomies soas toemerge fromunderdeyelopment assoonaspossible. 128.TheGeneral Assembly, atitsspecial session forAfricainMay1986,was called uponbytheExecutive Boardtosupport policies andprogrammes fprthe development ofAfrica's ~umanresources, including theneedsofchildren and mothers inoverall development objectives andplans. TheBoardurgedtheGeneral Assembly tohelpAfrican Statesachieve theglobalobjectives of"Health forallby ,theyear2000"andUCI/1990. Withinitsmandate, UNICEFshould makethenecessary effort, incollaboration withtheUnitedNations systemandNGOs,toimplement relevant recommendations madeatthespecial General Assembly session. 129.Several Boardmembers notedwithsatisfaction thattheactivities ofUNICEFin Africa hadaccounted for38percentofprogramme expenditures in1985andthatthe staffcapacity ofUNICEF hadincreased by40percentintheeastern andsouthern Africaregions andby50percentinthewestern andcentral Africaregions. Once' drought difficulties wereovercome, theproportion ofinternational assistance devoted tolong-term development wouldincrease. Thatassistance shouldenable African countries toachieve self-reliance morerapidly. 130.Manydelegates expressed appreciation oftheimproved quality ofdocumentation regarding Africa andtheusefulness oftheprogramme presentations madeduringthe Programme Committee deliberations. (Twoin-depth country programme presentations ­ forNigeria andtheUnitedRepublic ofTanzania -weregiveninordertoprovide theBoardwithamoredetailed account .ofhowprogrammes areconceived andcarried out.) (Seeparas. 48-54above.) -20- 131.Inaddition tothesupport expressed forhigherexpenditure levels, improved programming andstrengthened capacity, therewasenthusiastic approval forsocial mobilization, women's income-generating activities andimproved foodproduction. However, therewassomeconcern expressed regarding insufficient involvement onthe partofUNICEFineducation andsocialservices, including birth-spacing. 132.Numerous delegations commended UNICEFonimproved co-ordination and co-operation withotherdonors, especially withintheframework ofOEOA,andurged moreprogrammatic co-operation withbilateral agencies, inordertoimprove the comp1ementarity ofinputs. UNICEF wascommended forincreased attention tomeeting urgentnon-food needsindrought-affected countries, butinformation regarding the impactandeffectiveness ofsuchaidwasrequested. Whileemergency interventions weresupported, theneedtointegrate themwithlonger-term development goals, including stronger linkages withtheeconomic base,wasstressed. 133.Several delegations mentioned theimportance ofmanagement training for Africans (EPIandotherhealthcampaigns), sincethelimited management capacity of mostAfrican countries seriously hampered theirability toabsorbexternal assistance. Itwasfeltthatsuchweaknesses threatened thesustainabi1ity ofEPI andeventhefeasibility ofUCI!1990 insomecountries. Therefore Jitwas important tointegrate EPIandUCIintoasolidPHCinfrastructure. Several Board members drewattention totheneednotmerelytoprovide adhocemergency assistance butalsotoevolvestrategies forpreventing emergencies. Itwas, therefore, important tostrengthen thenational capacity ofthecountries involved. 134.Thequestion ofhowtoconvince thepUblicoftheneedforlong-term development ofhumanresources inAfrica wasaddressed. Thegenerous response in several countries demonstrated thepublic's willingness tohelpthedeveloping world,butmoreinformation wasneededaboutlong-term development oncethe immediate problem offaminewassolved. 135.ItwasnotedthatasofMarch1986,only67percentofthefundsreceived in response totheUNICEFAfricaappeal hadbeencommitted. Theability ofUNICEFto programme effectively the$102million soughtinthe1986appealwas,therefore,
**Analysis**
The text appears to be focused on the development of Africa, specifically on the role of UNICEF in supporting the continent's development efforts. The text highlights the importance of long-term development, self-reliance, and the need for international assistance to address the challenges faced by African countries.

**Category**
Economic development, Health, Humanitarian aid and relief