The Early Childhood Development Project was officially launched at Delap Park Tuesday this week.
The $13 million multi-sectoral project will boost early childhood development in the Marshall Islands by supporting reproductive, maternal and newborn healthcare, child health and nutrition, social support to families with young children, and expanding accessibility to early learning programs. The World Bank-funded project was requested by President Hilda Heine following concern over the results of a 2017 UNICEF survey of 600 households across the Marshall Islands that reported 35 percent of children under five years old suffering from growth stunting.
During the launch, President Heine said, “Investment in the future of the RMI starts with significant investment in our children.” She stated, “…in order to pursue broader economic and social development, it is essential that we prioritize human development, which starts with our children, especially in their first 1,000 days of life.”
President Heine expressed appreciation to the World Bank for funding the project, and to UNICEF and others that are working in collaboration with the government towards improving early childhood development in the Marshall Islands.
Read more about this in the April 26, 2019 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.