UNICEFRwanda and the Government of the Republic of Korea, yesterday, sealed a US$ 350,000 (about Rwf287m) agreement to improve prevention and response mechanisms for children and adolescents in Mahama camp for Burundian refugees.

The project will be for a period of one year.

Mahama camp is home to over 50,000 Burundian refugees, nearly 50 per cent of whom are children.

This partnership agreement seeks to strengthen the child protection response in Mahama, ensuring that vulnerable children and adolescents are protected and supervised through the development of a new, more efficient system.

During the meeting with Ambassador KimEung-joong of the Republic of Korea, Ted Maly, the Representative of UNICEF Rwanda, emphasised UNICEF’s willingness to work with the Government of the Republic of Korea to ensure timely implementation of project activities, according to a statement.

He also expressed hope that the UNICEF-Republic of Korea partnership could expand to other areas of cooperation.

"The Government of Rwanda has done great work putting emergency child protection mechanisms in place,” said Maly, "but there is still a need to improve and sustain these systems. UNICEF will ensure full cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Korea, and we would be honoured to visit the project site with the Ambassador.”

Amb. Kim took the opportunity to express his gratitude for the partnership between UNICEF Rwanda and the Government of the Republic of Korea.

"Korea is expanding its humanitarian assistance, and child protection is an important priority,” he said, adding "and I am looking forward to the results we can achieve together.”

The support, pledged during the ceremony, is expected to make a significant difference in the lives of over 26,000 children in Mahama camp, including over 1,500 unaccompanied or children separated from their families.