Unicef appoints new Oman representative

Muscat - Lana al Wreikat recently assumed duties as Unicef representative to the sultanate as she submitted her credentials to Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, secretary general in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As Unicef representative, Lana provides strategic leadership in the design and implementation of programmes for the well-being of children and women in Oman, as part of the Government of Oman-Unicef Country Programme of Cooperation, stated a press release.

In welcoming Lana, Sayyid Badr recalled the longstanding cordial relationship between the Omani government and Unicef and briefly discussed the country programme’s areas of focus that support the development and well-being of children in particular.

Lana commended the sultanate’s continuous efforts and significant strides made in education, child health and women empowerment.

Lana is Unicef's ninth representative to the sultanate and brings with her over 20 years of international experience having served in Africa, Middle East and Central Asia regions.

Prior to this assignment, she served as Unicef head of office in Gaziantep, Turkey.

Lana was also the deputy chief Regional Emergency and Humanitarian Unit in Unicef’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) and was based in both Nairobi in Kenya and Johannesburg in South Africa from 2007-2013. She has also held various leadership positions within Unicef in Iran, Tajikistan, Libya and Mozambique.

Unicef’s work in Oman began in 1971 through the Gulf Area Office in Abu Dhabi, followed by the opening of an office in Muscat in 1982.

Lana will continue to develop the country programme for the years 2017-2020 established by her predecessor, which currently focuses on three areas: Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD), Inclusion of Children with Disabilities (CwD) and Protection of Children from Violence.