text: staff. Twodelegations voiced concern aboutthelimited amount oftimedevoted to thediscussion ofindividual country programme proposals during theProgramme Committee. 16.During thediscussions aboutthedeteriorating socio-economic situation in Africa, manydelegations agreed withtheExecutive Director thatAfrica must continue toremain theareaofhighest UNICEFpriority. Supporting factors cited included therecurrent drought, famine, theeffects ofharsheconomic adjustment policies, whichareparticularly exacerbated whenassociated withsituations of armedconflict, asintheHornofAfrica, anddestabilization, asinsouthern Africa. Thecontinent embodies thegreatest humanneedsanddemands, making programmes suchaschildsurvival, safemotherhood, PHCandbasiceducation of vitalimportance inordertoreverse downward trendsinlivingconditions andto accelerate thereduction ofunder-five mortality rates (U5MRs) andmaternal mortality rates. Several delegations called forincreased resource allocations for Africa. Theimportance ofincreasing general resources allocations was highlighted, although itwasfeltthatAfrica's needsalsodemanded greater attention tosupplementary funding requests. Itwasstatedthattheseare especially vitalinordertomaintain theadvances madetodateinUCIandPHC,to permit aprompt response inemergency situations, ensuring, wherenecessary, the transition tonormal development, andtopursue basiceducation forall. 17.Several delegations urgedUNICEF toexplore possible mechanisms forensuring programme sustainability. Conscious thatrecent improvements intheinternational situation hadresulted inawelcome hopeforstability andanimproved political climate alsoinAfrica, somedelegations wereoptimistic thatevenpoorcountries, despite limited resources, couldmakeenormous strides. Keyfactors for sustainability thatwerediscussed included high-level political commitment, national capacity-building, financial support, decentralization andgenuine community participation inthepreparation, implementation andmonitoring of -54-programme activities. Itwasstressed thatperiodic critical assessments wouldbe required atalllevels. 18.Delegations citedthemanyinnovations detailed inthecountry programme recommendations, commenting favourably onactivities thataddressed continuing or newconcerns aboutthesituation ofchildren andwomeninAfrica. Malaria isstill endemic inanumberofcountries, whileAIDSisseriously affecting themortality andmorbidity profiles inseveral countries, threatening toundermine the substantial progress thathasbeenachieved inlowering U5MRs. Notingthat 3million to6million children willbecome orphans inthe10mostaffected countries, delegations wereanxious thatUNICEFrapidly evolve aresponse tothe social impactofAIDS(seechap.IV,decision 1990/18 fortherecommendation ofthe Committee asadopted bytheExecutive Board). Inthiscontext, somedelegations highlighted theimportance ofeducation. Theoverall importance ofbasiceducation wasalsonoted, andfurther information wasrequested onthespecific measures that couldbetakentoincrease primary andadulteducation intheregion. Inthearea ofwatersupply andsanitation, several delegations expressed concern that insufficient funding remained amajorconstraint. 19.Othercomments included arequest forafurther studyonwaystofinance programmes atthecommunity level. Concern wasalsoexpressed abouttheneedto increase theinfantmortality reduction rateinAfrica, aswellastomakefurther progress inthedissemination ofinformation aboutthecontrol ofdiarrhoeal diseases andORT.However, UNICEF wascongratulated foritsoverall programme implementation. 20.Delegations expressed concern abouttheincreasing numberofchildren in especially difficult circumstances causedbydrought, rapidurbanization,
analysis: The text appears to focus on the development and humanitarian efforts in Africa, particularly in the context of UNICEF's country programme proposals. The discussions revolve around the socio-economic situation, resource allocation, and sustainability of programmes addressing the needs of children and women. The topics of education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid are prominent throughout the text.