New Delhi: The Japanese government has allotted USD 1.79 million as aid for the health of mothers and children in Burma. This is the first such aid provided to Burma since Japan suspended its aid programme last year.

"This aid is directly paid to UNICEF for the mothers and children in Burma. We will provide assistance to mothers and children of the country through our offices", Pe Tin Thein, the information in-charge of UNICEF said to Mizzima.

This is the eighth time aid has given to Burma for the mothers and children by the Japanese government and its total amount has touched USD 31.9 million so far, he added.

Japan had suspended aid to Burma after a Japanese photo journalist was shot in September uprising in 2007.

UNICEF will use this aid funds for measles vaccination programme for 1.4 million children and anti-tetanus serum (ATS) vaccination for 1.6 million expecting mothers, and also will provide medicines for anti-natal uterine bleeding for 150,000 expecting mothers.

Moreover, 60,000 insecticide-soaked mosquito nets will be distributed in malaria endemic area and earmark money for malaria eradication program for 300,000 people by providing medical equipment.

"We renovate school buildings to attract students, repair roofs, develop the curriculum and encourage the students' participation. We encourage the children for participative learning unlike passive learning by listening only to what their teachers say. Besides these activities, we build mosquito proof latrine in schools, and provide potable water to them", Pe Tin Thein said.

He added that the UNICEF is publishing public health care booklets on HIV/AIDS prevention methods, prevention of child diseases and distributing them to mothers and children as public health awareness campaign in collaboration with local community organizations and religious organizations.

However, he admitted that current aid received from UNICEF is not enough for all these activities and they still need a lot more funds to cover all these expenses.