Sudan kids focus of UNICEF prayer day

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- UNICEF is asking religious leaders to pray Friday for Sudan's children on the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Right of the Child, an official said.

The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children is part of an effort by UNICEF in collaboration with the Global Network of Religions for Children, UNICEF reported Wednesday.

"Faith-based organizations are often able to reach deprived and marginalized children when others can't. They can also help create awareness amongst their congregations about children's rights and needs," Nils Kastberg, UNICEF Representative in Sudan, said.

"Without peace children will not complete their education, without peace there will not be enough safe drinking water or good sanitation, without peace there won't be enough decent health facilities or doctors and nurses," a UNICEF document to Sudanese religious leaders said.