International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) and UNICEF have singed a memorandum of understating to boost cooperation in the field of children's development and rights. UNICEF Gulf Area Representative Dr. Ayman Abu Laban said on Monday that the agreement will help improve many sectors in the countries that are being served by IIRO. “It will include health, education, training and relief projects inside Saudi Arabia and outside to cover many states where IIRO works,” Abu Laban said. IIRO Secretary General, Dr. Adnan Khalil Basha, highlighted the importance of such cooperation with a UN organization and IIRO that will help reduce the sufferings of those affected by disasters and wars. “This agreement is an umbrella for many upcoming projects and both bodies will play major role in building up good projects in selected areas,” Basha said. Basha added that the first joint UNICEF and IRO project will focus on the issue of high prices and its effects on children. “We will target children to solve this issue and help them contribute in development process in their countries,” he added. He also added that the IIRO has a 20-year forward plan targeting setting up collaborations with some 100 international organizations. Abu Laban said the agreement of his organization with IIRO is open in that no amount of money has been allocated. “We are here in Saudi Arabia to set up many programs. The UNICEF was urged to lend a hand in the Family Protection Program in the Kingdom. This program ensures protection for children exposed to violence and to rescue children who fall victims of trafficking through borders,” he added. Adnan Basha also announced donation of one million riyal to support the Family Protection Program. “We have had a previous role in the program when we established a dormitory in Yemen for trafficked children to help them start a new life,” he added. Basha pointed out that they had encountered hindrance in the IIRO offices abroad, especially after 9/11 attacks. “These obstructions were mainly concerned financial sides. Despite that we have some 56 health institutes, 21 orphanages and 21 vocational training centers around the world,” he said. UNICEF is working in Saudi Arabia to develop and monitor many projects that include family health programs, Haj health status and an increase of car accidents especially among youths. __
