99% of former repatriated camel jockeys to Pakistan were rehabilitated

Lahore, April 14, 2009 (WAM) -- An official delegation from the UAE Interior Ministry is currently visiting Pakistan to oversee and assess the progress of the final phase of a UAE-backed UNICEF programme aimed at rehabilitating children who once worked as camel jockeys in UAE.
The head and members of the UAE special committee for rehabilitation of camel jockeys held here today talks with the Childcare Protection and Welfare Bureau, Government of Punjab, Nurgis Khan, Minister for Social Welfare, Government of Sindh, and representatives of the UNICEF and Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan.
Head of the UAE delegation said the rehabilitation programme, now in its third year, aims to re-uniting those children first with their families and then re-integrating them into their local community.
Smaranda Popa, the Chief of UNICEF Pakistan's Child Protection Section, gave during the meeting a presentation about what had been achieved in the final phase.
She said that 600 children had been rehabilitated and reunited with their families. They receive education and training as well as regular financial assistance.
She added that the achievements made in Punjab set an international example and hoped that competent government bodies would continue to take care of such programmes in future.
Fayza Asghar, Director of Childcare Protection and Welfare Bureau, Government of Punjab, said 99 per cent of the repatriated 811 children had been rehabilitated and received their financial entitlements under the supervision of the UNICEF.
''The childcare and protection programme will come under comprehensive assessment,' she added.
Following the meeting, the UAE officials paid a field visit to the Child Rehabilitation Centre in Lahore.