South-South Cooperation for Children
Working together with developing countries to solve the challenges children face
Challenges
Sustainable development poses several challenges for developing countries
A shortage of financial and technological resources makes achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) difficult for developing countries, particularly in the areas of child survival, early childhood development, environmental protection and humanitarian assistance.
Some of the key challenges children face, especially in developing countries, include:
- Newborns die everyday from mostly preventable causes. In 2018, 2.5 million of the world’s children died in the first month of life.
- Children are not receiving the nutritious foods and social support they need to grow, develop and thrive.
- Nearly 50 million children, including adolescents, have been uprooted from their homes due to natural disasters, violence or poverty.
- Children’s health and development are being harmed by air pollution. Increased risks from chemicals, waste, polluted water and the lack of green and clean spaces for children to play are harming children’s health and development.
Solutions
UNICEF leverages its global presence and diverse partnerships to find sustainable solutions for developing countries’ greatest challenges
To accelerate the progress of developing countries towards meeting the SDGs, UNICEF supports developing countries to exchange knowledge, technology and resources related to child survival, early childhood development, environmental protection and humanitarian assistance. Some notable examples are listed below.
Knowledge exchange
Supporting meetings, conferences, study tours, trainings and missions
- An information session on maternal and newborn health at the 2018 High-level Meeting on China-Africa Health Cooperation, prior to the Beijing Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, and a FOCAC sub-forum on sharing experiences in reducing child poverty in 2019. A webinar co-developed with the China National Health Commission about leveraging South-South cooperation to scale-up solutions for maternal, newborn and child health.
- A study tour for delegates from Ethiopia and Uganda to rural China to observe a UNICEF early childhood development site using a community-based model.
- Internship opportunities for young people to participate and learn about Southern-led development projects.
Technological exchange
Sharing innovative products and services
- An initiative to connect every school to the internet, and creating an entry point to expand opportunities and choices for young people who are currently disconnected.
- Using drones to deliver critical medical supplies to remote places for women and children.
Resource exchange
China’s South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund supports UNICEF projects
- A project to increase capacity and service delivery in Somalia to provide treatment for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, as well as to reach women with integrated health and nutrition services.
- Providing a supply of heavy winter clothes – gloves, scarves, jackets, boots, and even pajamas - and education supplies to Syrian refugee children in Lebanon.
- Strengthening maternal, newborn and child health programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
- Providing humanitarian assistance to countries affected by Cyclone Idai, (Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe).
Resources
By sharing knowledge on solutions, technical know-how, and resources, especially between countries that share common development challenges, UNICEF can help countries achieve the SDGs, especially those for children.
Press releases
- Session on child poverty at the FOCAC sub-forum to enhance South-South Cooperation for children
- China provides US $1 million to support families recovering from floods
- Government of China provides USD 2 million in aid to Cyclone Idai-affected families in Zimbabwe
- UNICEF and Government of China provide support to Cyclone Idai-affected families in Mozambique under South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund
- UNICEF and CCCMHPIE Hold Industry Consultation for Suppliers of Medicine and Health Technology Products in Shanghai
