PM bids farewell to outgoing UNICEF Representative
By Siphesihle Dlamini
Prime Minister Russell Dlamini has bid a warm farewell to Amina Mohammed, the outgoing Resident Representative of UNICEF, during a courtesy meeting held at the Private and Cabinet Office.
The meeting marked the conclusion of Mohammed’s tenure in the Kingdom of Eswatini, where she has overseen UNICEF’s programmes aimed at improving the welfare and protection of children.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister commended UNICEF for its unwavering commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of children across the country.
He acknowledged the agency as a trusted development partner whose collaboration with the government has strengthened national efforts to protect vulnerable groups and enhance service delivery.
He expressed sincere appreciation for the strong partnership between the Government and UNICEF, noting that the organisation had played a significant role in supporting child-focused social protection programmes.
Through technical assistance and financial backing, UNICEF contributed to building more responsive and resilient systems designed to safeguard children and families facing hardship.
The PM also highlighted the agency’s efforts in reinforcing institutional capacity within key ministries and agencies responsible for health, education and social development. These contributions, he indicated, had improved coordination and efficiency in the implementation of programmes targeting vulnerable communities.
Special mention was made of UNICEF’s critical support to the National Disaster Management Agency during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister noted that the collaboration between the Government and UNICEF was instrumental in mitigating the impact of the crisis, particularly among children and low-income households.
He observed that UNICEF’s assistance during the pandemic included support for emergency relief initiatives, provision of essential supplies and strengthening of public health responses.
This intervention, he said, helped sustain essential services and contributed to protecting lives during one of the most challenging periods in recent history.
With Mohammed preparing for retirement, the Prime Minister extended his best wishes for her future endeavours.
He encouraged her to continue sharing her extensive experience and expertise in child development and humanitarian work for the broader benefit of the African continent.