ofGovernments mustbeidentified andthequestion offunding answered. Itwas suggested thattheUNESCO/UNICEF JointCommittee onEducation, whichhelditsfirst meeting atUNESCO Headquarters inParisfrom28to29March1990,should playa constructive roleinthefollow uptotheWorldConference. (Seechap.IV, decision 1990/23 andannexI,paras. 101-106.) -11-Acuterespiratory infections 40.Delegations welcomed thepolicy review paperonARI(E/ICEF/1990/L.7) and endorsed therecommendations contained therein. Theimportance oftheproblem was underscored byonedelegation whichreported thatARIwasresponsible for 25to70percentofinfant deaths indeveloping countries. Itwasnecessary to co-ordinate activities inordertoimplement strategies tocombat thediseases. Another delegation emphasized theneedtoevaluate existing ARIprogrammes in Bolivia, theGambia andThailand attheendof1991toserveasaguideforUNICEF support toARIprogrammes elsewhere. 41.Thesecretariat informed thattheoperational protocols hadbeenfinalized withWHOandthetreatment regimen hadbeenstandardized. Inaddition, aSenior Adviser onARIhadbeenappointed andthecreation ofaChildSurvival Unitwould provide fieldoffices withthestrong support needed inthisnewareaof endeavour. (Seechap.IV,decision 1990/20 andannexI,paras. 88-95.) Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) 42.Anumber ofdelegations spokeofthedevastating health andsocial consequences ofAIDSforwomenandchildren inmanypartsoftheworld, but particularly inAfri~a whereitwasanother obstacle tothefurther reduction of IMRs. UNICEF wasurgedtointensify itsparticipation inAIDSprevention and control activities, whichshould include education andthedissemination of information onthedisease itself andprecautionary measures thatshould betaken. Theneedforspecial projects toassistchildren orphaned byAIDSwasalsonoted. Delegations expressed appreciation forthejointefforts ofWHO,UNDPandUNICEF in thisarea. 43.Thesecretariat responded thattheproposal forthecreation ofan interregional fundtoaddress theimpactofAIDSonwomenandchildren (E/ICEF/1990/P/L.34) aimedtoincrease theorganization's capacity toexpand activities inAIDSprevention education, aswellasinprogrammes toaddress the socio-economic impactofAIDSonfamilies (seechap.IV,decision 1990/18). Waterandsanitation 44.Manydelegations commented favourably onUNICEFactivities intheareaof watersupply andsanitation andendorsed thepriority goalsforthedecade ofthe 1990sestablished inthisprogramme area. Onedelegation notedthatthegoalsof thewaterdecade (1980-1990) achieved arateofonly60percentofpopulations in developing countries withaccess tosafedrinking waterandonly25percentwith adequate sanitation facilities. Therefore, theprovision ofadequate sanitation remained amajorchallenge forUNICEF. Another delegation wasgratified tonote thepositive impactthatUNICEF-supported watersupplyprojects werehaving onthe control ofguinea wormdisease. Essential drugs 45.Somedelegations urgedUNICEF topaymoreattention toessential drugs programmes. Onedelegation saidthattheessential drugsissuewasbroader than thedrugcomponent oftheBamakoInitiative andpointed outthatwhile WHOwasthe leadagency inthisarea,UNICEF couldnotafford toignorethisconcept in implementing itsvarious healthactivities. -12-46.Thesecretariat assured thatUNICEF continued tobeclosely involved in essential drugsprogrammes. Beingtheworld's largest purchaser ofvaccines, UNICEF wasnotonlyinvolved inthesupplyofdrugs, butalsointraining programmes topromote therational useofdrugs, thestandardization oftreatment regimens andtheestablishment oflogistics systems. Because essential drugs comprised amajorelement intheBamakoInitiative, theissuesofpricing and equity werealsoimportant concerns. Children inespecially difficult circumstances 47.UNICEF wascommended forthepreparation ofcomprehensive plansandstrategies concerning children inespecially difficult circumstances, although itwasstressed
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing various issues related to global health, specifically focusing on children's health, disease prevention, and access to essential services such as education and sanitation. The tone suggests that the text is part of a report or meeting summary, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues and the role of UNICEF in doing so.

**Category**
Health, Humanitarian aid and relief