UNICEF Chief of Field Services lauds initiatives advancing child rights in Bastar region

Senior Correspondent

NewsBits.in

RAIPUR:  Soledad Herrero, Chief of Field Services, UNICEF India, during a two-day visit to Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, reviewed innovative government-led initiatives that are improving access to health, nutrition, water, social protection and mental health services for children and families in remote tribal communities.

She was accompanied by Seema Kumar, Chief, UNICEF Chhattisgarh and team members of UNICEF, Chhattisgarh on her visit to Narayanpur and Kondagaon districts.

During her visit to Akabeda village in Narayanpur district, Herrero interacted with community members, frontline workers and local officials and observed a range of initiatives designed to improve access to essential services.

These included a Health camp in the Haat Bazar, Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre supporting children with severe acute malnutrition, health and wellness centre, motorbike ambulance service enabling access to healthcare in difficult terrain, Sushasan Express, which brings government services directly to remote communities.

Herrero and Kumar along with team of UNICEF Chhattisgarh met with Namrata Jain, District Collector, Narayanpur and praised her efforts and determination to advance innovative interventions for women and children in the district.

In Kondagoan, the team met participants of the ‘Aao Baat Karen’ initiative and members of the Yuvodaya volunteer network, learning about community-led efforts to promote mental wellbeing, child protection and youth engagement.

She also met inspiring young changemakers, including Tanu Yadav, who supported a child facing discrimination because of their skin colour, and Dharmesh, a Yuvodaya volunteer who helped install POCSO complaint boxes and worked to strengthen child protection within his community. Their stories reflected the power of youth leadership in creating safer, more inclusive environments for children and adolescents.

Herrero along with Kumar, met with the District Collector Nupur Rashi Panna to review progress across key programme areas and discuss opportunities to strengthen and scale successful models through government systems.

“Chhattisgarh’s innovative community‑led initiatives in remote districts such as Narayanpur and Kondagaon demonstrate how strong partnerships and locally driven solutions can create lasting change for children, especially when anchored in pro‑development policies. In regions like Bastar, where the challenges are greatest, the opportunity for transformation is also the highest,” said Herrero.

The visit concluded with discussions on advancing child-centered development through stronger partnerships, community engagement and locally driven solutions. It reaffirmed the shared commitment of UNICEF and the Government of Chhattisgarh to ensuring that every child, including those living in remote and underserved communities, has the opportunity to survive, thrive and reach their full potential.