New Unicef PNG boss wants to see PNG children healthy and educated

THE new country representative for Unicef PNG David McLoughlin has assured the government of his organisation’s commitment to continue serving the children of this country.
He said those who were most vulnerable would be looked after to ensure they became healthy, well-educated adolescents to proactively contribute to society and country.
McLoughlin presented his credentials to the government this week before taking up his post.
He presented his appointment to Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Barbara Age and said:
“It is important for us to be here supporting our mandate through our programmes in health, water and sanitation hygiene, child protection and quality education.
“We remain at your call as Unicef and also as a member of the United Nations in Papua New Guinea.”
Mcloughlin said Unicef, like many other organisations, was also committed to supporting the government towards ensuring every possibility of an early recovery for people affected by the earthquake in Southern Highlands and Hela.
Age, while acknowledging the partnership and relationship between the government and UN, welcomed Unicef’s commitment and support in ensuring
children’s voices were heard and needs met.
“We have a big population of young people in this country and the Government welcomes the support of organisations like Unicef to address challenges facing our children.”
McLoughlin, whose original professional background is in education, has worked in various capacities in Unicef over the past 13 years.
He last served at a senior level in Geneva as the deputy regional director for 21 Unicef country offices in Europe and Central Asia.
Prior to that, McLoughlin worked as a deputy country representative in China and India, where he had oversight and coordination responsibilities for all Unicef programmes in health, nutrition, education, child protection, water, sanitation
and hygiene, public policy and finance.
Before joining Unicef in 2005, he worked in various capacities in education in Australia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Thailand.
He also worked with the World Food Programme in Afghanistan, Unesco in Iraq as well as a team leader from the onset of the Pakistan earthquake UN programme in 2005.
McLoughlin, from Tasmania, Australia, is here with his wife..

Photo: Incoming UNICEF Country Representative, David McLoughlin (left) presents his credentials to the Government of Papua New Guinea through the Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Barbara Age, to officially take up his post in-country.