UNICEF representative Rafael Ramírez Mesec praised Milei's administration: 'It is very striking and worthy of note.'
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In an unexpected yet forceful gesture, the UNICEF representative in Argentina, Rafael Ramírez Mesec, celebrated that "1.7 million children have come out of poverty" in the country over the past year, despite the strong adjustment promoted by the Government of Javier Milei. The statements were made during an interview, where the official praised the policies implemented by the libertarian administration, highlighting as "very striking and worthy of note" the social outcome achieved.
"Clearly, it is something worth highlighting. It can't be denied that it is a strong adjustment, with a 5-point reduction in GDP spending, and having managed to reduce poverty, even if it is said whether it is something cyclical or structural", stated Ramírez Mesec, in a conversation with journalists Gonzalo Sánchez, Carolina Amoroso, Ramón Indart, and Cecilia Boufflet.
Rafael Ramírez Mesec.
The figure released by UNICEF is significant: 1.7 million boys and girls who have come out of poverty in a context where many voices predicted an irreversible deterioration of social indicators. The representative of the UN agency attributed this improvement to specific measures adopted by the national Government, such as the increase in the Universal Child Allowance (AUH) and the extension of the Alimentar Card benefit up to age 17.
Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of UNICEF's uninterrupted presence in Argentina, Ramírez Mesec acknowledged that there are still pending challenges, but emphasized the value of recent progress. "The AUH or the Alimentar Card have been important measures", he stated, and added that the new age range incorporated "allows the inclusion of adolescents who were previously left out of the direct assistance system."
The interview also addressed other issues, such as the digital divide. According to data provided by UNICEF, although 90% of children have access to the internet, most do not have computers to fully take advantage of that connectivity. "It is not enough to be digital natives to handle everything; artificial intelligence is coming, with great opportunities, great challenges, and also great risks," he warned.
In terms of education, Ramírez Mesec was clear: deficits persist in learning levels. "In learning, we have work to do. The latest evaluation studies reveal that 85% of children, regarding mathematics, we are still dragging our feet a bit", he stated. Nevertheless, he highlighted the national literacy plan and the policy of prioritizing early childhood, measures that—according to him—have the active support of UNICEF.
The institutional coordination with the Ministry of Human Capital, led by Sandra Pettovello, was positively valued by the representative of the agency. "With the different secretariats, we have a very fluid dialogue, and we listen to each other. Fortunately, childhood is something that always brings people together to unite efforts and achieve the desired development", he emphasized.
Manuel Adorni en X.
When asked about the relationship with Javier Milei's administration, Ramírez Mesec was emphatic in dismissing any ideological bias. "We know all the colors, we do not have a color. Perhaps at the beginning it was a bit confusing, because there are already institutions that no longer exist, but little by little we have found interlocutors to speak frankly, and to convey our concerns and suggestions", he explained.
With a four-decade track record in the country, UNICEF reaffirmed its humanitarian mission and its desire that, at some point, its presence will no longer be necessary. "We started as an organization with a humanitarian DNA, and we continue in that. An important part of our work is humanitarian assistance, we are where there are conflicts, where the most complicated situations are, and assisting the boys and girls who need it", stated Ramírez Mesec.
He concluded with a reflection full of hope: "We would like there to be no conflicts. The sooner we achieve that children can exercise their rights recognized by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the sooner we will be able to go rest." The news did not go unnoticed in the presidential environment. The spokesperson Manuel Adorni celebrated the information with a single word on his official X: "END.", accompanied by the note confirming the data.
