AL-MASRI AFFIRMS IMPORTANCE OF ADOPTING CIVIL REGISTRY IN YEMEN

SANA'A, Feb.21 (Saba) - Interior Minister Mutahr al-Masri has
affirmed the importance of the civil registry in various life
aspects for both citizens and government.

"The civil registry is strategically important because of its
connection with the developmental process of the country in
different fields", said al-Masri.

He also noted the importance of implementing the new civil registry
project and national identification number, calling for accelerating
the implementation of this vital project.

During a workshop organized by the Department of Civil Status in
cooperation with the UNICEF and the Social Fund for Development
(SFD), being held during the period February 21-23, the head of
Civil Status Department Abu Baker al-Amoudi said that the workshop
aims to over come the difficulties impeding the department's works.

For her part, the deputy representative of the UNICEF office in
Yemen pointed out the significance of registering the babies by
official bodies.

The percentage of the newborn registration in the official documents
in Yemen was lower in comparison to other countries.

According to a survey carried out in 2006, the proportion of
children registered in the document under one year amounted to 8.2
per cent and 37 per cent of children who were under seven years old.

The UNICEF official affirmed the necessity of paying more attention
on registering children as well as offering registration facilities
and carrying out awareness campaigns in the communities.

"The UNICEF is to continue its support for promoting the newborn
registration system in Yemen", she added.

FJ/YA