East Asia and the Pacific

Challenges, The mental health of children and adolescents is one of the world’s most neglected health issues. It is estimated that 1 in 7 boys and 1 in 9 girls aged 10–19 years in East Asia and the Pacific have a mental health condition, with suicide being the third leading cause of death among them. Most mental health conditions arise early in life, with 50…, Resources, Solution, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is a key priority for UNICEF, and together with partners, UNICEF develops programmes that improve the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children, adolescents and their caregivers globally. UNICEF is actively engaged in prevention, promotion and response to address poor mental health by…

The EU and UNICEF launched a partnership to establish the Public Finance Facility (PFF) in South and Southeast Asia to support the best possible use of public social sectors’ budgets. The four-year initiative covers seven countries, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar in Southeast Asia, and Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in South Asia., Challenges, Government budgets are the most important public policy instruments for the realization of the rights and well-being of children, as stipulated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The decisions governments make about how to fund social services are critical to the equitable development of children. If allocations are insufficient,…, Solution, To respond to the challenges, the EU and UNICEF launched a partnership in 2019 to establish the Public Finance Facility (PFF) in South and Southeast Asia to support the best possible use of public social sectors’ budgets. The four-year initiative covers seven countries, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar in Southeast Asia, and Bangladesh, Nepal,…, Knowledge Products, Education Budget Brief 2021 Education Budget Brief 2020 Social Affairs Budget Brief 2021 Education Budget Brief 2022 Thematic Report on Disability in Cambodia Lao PDR In Lao PDR, the Facility focuses on PFM and advocacy on nutrition budget briefs, review and costing of the National Costed Plan for Nutrition, as well as the public investment needs…, Knowledge Products, Nutrition Budget Brief 2016-2019 Review of costing of the National Plan of Action for Nutrition 2016-2020 Nutrition Budget Brief 2020-2022 Myanmar In Myanmar, the Facility includes reviewing of the last decade social policy and budget reform process in Myanmar for the children, understanding and generating evidence of SAZ (special administrative…, Knowledge Products, Budget Brief Education 2019-2020 Budget Brief Social Welfare 2019-2020 (English Version) Rural Water Budget Brief 2018-2019 Diagnostic on the provision of social services in Myanmar Making Decentralization Work for Every Child Looking Back: Paths Towards Social and Financial Reform in Myanmar Rice porridge is served to the children at an EU…, Knowledge Products, Policy Brief on Advancing the interests of Bangladesh’s children in Covid times through the SSNPs Deconstructing Budget for 2021-22 (Child Budget Report) Policy Note - Child Budget for 2021-2022 Policy Note - Social protection allocations in the context of Covid-19 Policy Note - Scaling up of the Mother and Child Benefit Programme Policy Note -…, Knowledge Products, Budget Brief Overview of the Budget FY2022-23 Education Budget Brief 2021-2022 Health Budget Brief 2021-2022 Overview of Expenditure Allocations 2021-2022 Overview of Revenue Mobilization 2021-2022 Education Budget Brief 2020-2021 Health Budget Brief 2020-2021 Nutrition Budget Brief 20-21 Social Protection Budget Brief 20-21 Social Protection…, Knowledge Products, Budget Brief Child Protection Sector 2021 Budget Brief Education Sector 2021 Budget Brief Health Sector 2021 Budget Brief Social Assistance Sector 2021 Budget Brief Water Sanitation and Hygiene Sector 2021 Budget Brief Health Sector 2019 Budget Brief Education Sector 2019 Budget Brief Water Sanitation and Hygiene 2019 Budget Brief Sri Lanka Budget…, Knowledge Products, Where is the fiscal space for children? EU-UNICEF PFF Brochure Regional South-South Exchange 2023 in Nepal – Summary report Fact Sheet - The EU-UNICEF Public Finance Facility in South and Southeast Asia Fact Sheet - Macroeconomic outlook for South and Southeast Asia Fact Sheet – Education outlook for South and Southeast Asia Fact Sheet – Health…

Countries in the East Asia and Pacific region are among the most disaster-prone in the world. Children are especially affected, particularly the most vulnerable. In countries affected by emergencies, children lose their loved ones and homes. They no longer have access to safe drinking water, health care and food. They lose safety and routine. And…, A lifeline, For children in emergencies, education is about more than the right to learn. Schools protect children from the physical dangers around them. They provide children with lifesaving food, water, health care and hygiene supplies. And they offer psychosocial support, giving children stability and structure to help them cope with the trauma they have…, Creating climate resilient education systems, To strengthen education system’s readiness and resilience for future shocks, including extreme climate-related events and variability, UNICEF supports governments in developing climate-smart education frameworks, climate data integration into Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) and climate vulnerability analysis and adaptation planning…

The countries in the East Asia and Pacific region were the first to be impacted by COVID-19 and the ensuing major public health emergency caused by the pandemic. This situation has affected education provision in all of the 27 countries supported by UNICEF programmes since late January 2020. Approximately 325 million children had been affected by…, It’s time to shine: Building back better education systems, UNICEF is supporting the 27 countries in the East Asia and Pacific region to build back better, and create more resilient education systems impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. This means not only resuming services but also seizing the opportunity to reimagine education, harnessing technology and new partnerships and approaches to learning. This…

Education systems are highly complex and unique in each country. Getting all children in school for effective learning, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized ones, requires strong commitment, investment and partnerships among families, educators and decision makers. It requires shared goals and national policies that put learning at…, UNICEF’s work to strengthen education systems, Strengthening system governance is essential to ensuring equity, quality and learning in education by using evidence to deliver results for children. UNICEF works with communities, schools and Governments in the East Asia and Pacific region to build strong, innovative education systems that enhance learning for all children. In collaboration with…

Access to primary education is a basic right for every child. An effective primary education can build a solid foundation and open avenues for future success. With its profound implications on both the individual and society, primary education plays a crucial role in reducing extreme poverty and promoting social changes. The Sustainable…, UNICEF’s work in primary education, Ensuring every child is in school is critical to achieving child rights and enabling education to play its role in poverty reduction and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. And yet increasing school enrollment and participation is not enough. By the end of primary school, children should be able to read and write, and to understand and…

While more children in the region have access to preschool programmes today than in 1990, 24 per cent of children do not attend preschool, which limits their readiness to learn and progress in primary and secondary school, while increasing their chances of dropping out. Meanwhile, children from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged households, who…, Solution, Early childhood presents an incomparable window of opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life. Access to quality care and education programmes outside the home provides children with the basic cognitive and language skills they need to flourish in school. Such programmes can also help foster social competency and emotional development. In…

The second decade of life is a time of transformation. During adolescence (ages 10–19), girls and boys begin to interact with the world in new ways – taking chances, learning skills and experiencing unfamiliar emotions. They venture beyond their families to form powerful connections with peers. They search for ways to stand out and belong, to find…, Challenges to overcome, The 174 million adolescent girls and boys of secondary school age in East Asia and the Pacific symbolize a major force for positive social and economic change for this region: they can contribute to a competitive labour force, sustained economic growth, improved governance and vibrant societies. However, far too many are not getting what they need…, Helping all adolescents learn, Boosting access to learning is critical to laying a foundation for children’s future success. To unleash the potential of adolescents, UNICEF works to transform existing systems for their education and learning in the region. To improve adolescents’ education and learning, UNICEF collaborates closely with government and non-government stakeholders…

Challenge, The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. Climate change arguably poses the single greatest challenge to the realisation of children’s rights and threatens to undercut decades of hard-won progress to improve children’s lives.  Climate change, environmental degradation, and the associated natural shocks and stresses, pose a threat to children’s…, Related Stories, Solution, UNICEF is committed to tackling the climate and environmental crisis in partnership with public, private, civil society and children/youth partners. UNICEF actions are structured around the following four areas of work, with a focus on most vulnerable and marginalized children and youth in the region: 1. Reducing the vulnerability of children,…

Challenge, Two out of five international child migrants were born in Asia – more than any other region in the world. While migration can benefit children and their families, it can also place children in situations of risk. This is particularly the case where children are moving outside of safe and legal pathways, and are thus vulnerable to exploitation by…, Solution, In the East Asia and Pacific region, UNICEF’s emerging focus on migration complements ongoing programming. It, for example, reinforces its work to advocate for the development of national child protection systems, which are inclusive of all children, including those affected by migration. This includes strengthening social work as a profession,…, Programme aims, Make sure child protection systems are inclusive Child protection systems include children affected by migration, including children left behind Alternatives to detention are established/strengthened Long-term care/status decisions are evidence-based and focus on the best interests of the child                      Enhance policies and procedures…

Over the past decade the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has increasingly given way to an understanding of sustainability and purpose, explicitly linking business action or inaction to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the notion of contribution to social progress remains a starting point within the business world,…, UNICEF in action in East Asia and the Pacific:, Across the region, we gather evidence on the state of child rights and business to strengthen business awareness and drive action to address their impacts on children’s rights. In order to implement the United Nations guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Children’s Rights Business Principles, we work closely with both the public…

Challenge, Violence, exploitation and abuse occur in the homes, families, schools, care and justice systems, workplaces and communities across all contexts, including as a result of conflict and natural disasters. Many children are exposed to various forms of violence, exploitation and abuse, including sexual abuse and exploitation, armed violence,…, Resources, Solution, For this reason, and because of the range and complexity of child protection issues, UNICEF advocates the development of national child protection systems or stronger child and family welfare systems, much like the education and health systems that countries established decades ago. This approach is more comprehensive than dealing with each…