DODOMA: CATHERINE Russell, the Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), recently wrapped up her first-ever visit to Tanzania.
Her three-day trip left her with much to reflect on, as well as a promise to continue collaborating with the Tanzanian government to improve the lives of the country’s children.
Here, Russell had the chance to see UNICEF-supported programmes firsthand and by the end of her visit, she had witnessed not only challenges but also significant strides in the fields of health, education and innovation.
Her mission was to observe and learn how UNICEF’s programmes are making an impact and to assess how the organisation can continue its work in Tanzania.
On her journey, Russell visited Songwe, a region in the southern highlands of Tanzania, where UNICEF is actively supporting education and health programmes.
These programmes are designed to break the cycle of poverty and create opportunities for children and adolescent girls. From birth registration to education, vaccinations to sanitation, the goal is to improve the overall well-being of children and their families.
The initiatives also emphasise nutrition, healthcare and child protection, all of which are crucial in fostering a healthy and educated next generation.
On her final day in the country, Russell met with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the State House in Chamwino, Dodoma, to discuss ongoing and future collaborations between UNICEF and the Tanzanian government.
Later, she sat down for an exclusive interview with Daily News to reflect on her experiences and share her insights. Below is a detailed account of that conversation.
Journalist: Since this is your first visit to Tanzania, what is it that you are taking away from the experience of meeting Tanzanian children?
Catherine Russell: Well, let me tell you, I’ve learned a lot! I spent some time in Songwe and I saw something truly remarkable.
It was incredible to witness all these services come together for the benefit of children in one place.
For example, Tanzania has done a fantastic job digitising the birth registration process. Mothers now get a birth certificate on the spot and it’s digitally recorded, which is a major improvement from the old system where you’d have to sift through stacks of paper to find one! Then, they moved on to child measurements and nutrition education.
This part was particularly striking because although the region has an abundance of crops, not all children are getting the proper nutrition they need.
The caregivers and parents were being shown what a child should eat daily to ensure they grow strong and healthy. It’s crucial to have programmes like these because, sometimes, people might not know how to make the best use of the local food resources available to them.
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Next, I saw the immunisation efforts underway. It’s great that babies are being immunised, but what was particularly impressive was the focus on the HPV vaccine, which is a great step in preventing cervical cancer.
Also, early childhood development programmes were in full swing, teaching kids the foundational skills they need to succeed. But what really stayed with me were the young people I had the pleasure of meeting.
These young Tanzanians are on fire with ideas! One young woman, a student in secondary school, showed me her climate-based projects how they’re planting trees to prevent soil erosion.
Very sophisticated work for someone her age! And then there were kids building robots! Real mission-type robots! I couldn’t help but be impressed by how much energy and enthusiasm these children have for learning and making a difference.
In addition to all of that, I met young women who have developed an app that helps girls track their menstrual cycles.
The innovation coming from the youth here is truly inspiring. I’m leaving Tanzania with a great sense of optimism because the children and young people I met are driven, motivated and eager to contribute to the future of their country.
Journalist: That’s wonderful to hear! So, what exactly are you leaving behind for the children of Tanzania after your visit?
Catherine Russell: I’m leaving behind an incredibly committed and dedicated team our UNICEF staff in Tanzania. These people are working tirelessly and they’ve been at it for over 60 years. The work we’ve done together, especially the collaborations with the government, will continue to grow and flourish. I’m confident that the progress we’ve made so far will be built upon, and I’m optimistic about what lies ahead.
Journalist: Children are some of the most vulnerable groups affected by climate change. What role does UNICEF play in supporting innovations to address the challenges children face, not just in Tanzania, but around the world?
Catherine Russell: This is something we’re deeply committed to at UNICEF. A few years ago, we released a report that highlighted how half of the world’s children around a billion live in countries that are at extreme risk due to climate change and environmental disruptions. So, it’s not a question of ‘if’ climate change is coming, but ‘how’ it’s going to impact children.
It’s crucial for people, especially policymakers, to understand that climate change affects children differently than it does adults. For example, children are more susceptible to heat because their bodies are smaller, they struggle to process heat as efficiently as adults do. And then there’s air pollution.
Since children’s lungs are still developing, they are especially vulnerable to air quality issues, which is a huge concern in many parts of the world.
The big issue is that, despite this, only 2.4 per cent of global climate financing is dedicated to children.
This is a major gap and we’re working hard to raise awareness about it.
We want countries to understand that if we don’t invest in children when we address climate change, we’re going to end up with a much larger crisis down the line. At UNICEF, we’re trying to help governments and communities adapt to the changing climate.
That means thinking about how to make services more resilient like making sure schools and healthcare systems are better equipped to handle extreme weather events.
We’re also promoting innovations like solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Ultimately, our job is to make sure children’s needs are part of the conversation when policies are being created. Because children depend more on government services than adults do, it’s essential that these services can withstand climate disruptions, whether it’s floods, droughts, or other natural disasters.
Journalist: You’re wrapping up your three-day visit today. What message would you like to leave with the people of Tanzania, especially the children?
Catherine Russell: First and foremost, I want to reiterate UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to the children and adolescent girls of Tanzania. We’ve been here for over 60 years, and we will continue to be here for as long as we are needed.
I’m so proud to be part of the incredible work being done in this country. To the young people, I would say: stay in school, work hard and never stop believing in your ability to shape the future of Tanzania.
You live in a beautiful country with vast potential, and you should take full advantage of the opportunities available to you. Your efforts whether in education, innovation, or community service are vital for the future of Tanzania.
By investing in the health and education of children, we are laying the foundation for a brighter, more prosperous future for everyone.
Journalist: You’ve had such a rewarding experience. Will you be coming back to Tanzania?
Catherine Russell: I hope I get to come back. I have really enjoyed this trip. A lot of times, these trips can be really hard because I see children in desperate need, which can be very difficult. But this visit was inspiring. The team here wanted me to see how good the work can be and how impressive it is, and I definitely come away feeling that way.
Journalist: Thank you for the interview
Catherine Russell: Okay. Thank you so much.
