ISLAMABAD, May 8: The government on Friday called for reinforced collaboration with Unicef to effectively address water and sanitation problems.

In a meeting between Federal Minister for Environment, Hameedullah Jan Afridi and Unicef Representative in Pakistan, Martin Mogwanja, the minister pressed for the need to offset additional hygiene related expenditures through launching a comprehensive national programme in collaboration with the Unicef, said a statement issued here.

During the meeting the Unicef representative, Martin Mogwanja informed the minister that Unicef under the country programme 2004-2010 had signed Annual Work Programme for the year 2006-2008 with the ministry of environment to provide necessary support in implementation of Water, Environment and Sanitation programme (WES). He said that focus of the programme was on provision of water and sanitation facilities, promotion of safe hygiene practices in schools (School WES), promotion of latrine and hygiene in communities (Community WES) and strengthening policy and legislative framework for water quality and water resource management.