Marcia Wonghon
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Recife - Five Ministers and seven governors from states in Northeast Brazil, together with mayors and representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), will participate tomorrow (7) in the launching of the National Pact for Children and Adolescents from the Semi-Arid Region.

Among the Ministers whose presence is confirmed are Patrus Ananias (Social Development and Hunger Alleviation), Nilmário Miranda (Special Secretariat of Human Rights), Humberto Costa (Health), Ciro Gomes (National Integration), and Jacques Wagner (National Economic and Social Development Council).

The mayors and NGOs will hand the Ministers a letter containing proposals for the implementation of measures to assure the rights of the 11 million children and adolescents who live in the semi-arid region, one of the poorest sections of the country.

During the ceremony the UNICEF (United Nations Childrens' Fund) will launch the Approved Municipality seal for cities in the semi-arid region that take steps leading to improvements in the indicators of health, education, and protection of boys and girls.

Translation: David Silberstein