CRC/C/15/Add.213 page 4 Resources for children 16. The Committee notes the priority accorded by the State party to education and the information provided in its report on the budgetary allocations for health programmes, protection of mothers and children, and social security and assistance programmes. In particular, the Committee notes the adoption of a poverty reduction programme for 2003-2007 focusing on children and women. However, the Committee remains concerned that budget allocations for health services, education and other social services are low and that insufficient attention has been paid to article 4 of the Convention regarding implementation “to the maximum extent of available resources …” of the economic, social and cultural rights of children. 17. The Committee further notes the discrepancy between the high level of GDP and the low standard of living of most of the population and is concerned that readjustment programmes may negatively affect children in a disproportionate manner. 18. The Committee recommends that the State party, in light of articles 2, 3 and 6 of the Convention, pay particular attention to the full implementation of article 4 of the Convention by: (a) Increasing the budget for the implementation of the Convention and prioritizing budgetary allocations to ensure implementation of the economic, social and cultural rights of children to the maximum extent of available resources, in particular children of socially marginalized groups and vulnerable children, with a view to making quality services accessible; (b) Implementing its poverty reduction programme 2003-2007 with a view to improving the situation of children, in particular the most vulnerable, by, inter alia, targeted interventions to address the needs of the poorest groups of the population; (c) Identifying the amount and proportion of the State budget spent on children through public and private institutions or organizations in order to evaluate the impact and effect of the expenditures and also, in view of the costs, the accessibility, quality and effectiveness of the services for children in the different sectors. Data collection 19. The Committee is concerned that disaggregated data on persons under 18 years relating to the rights contained in the Convention are not systematically collected or used effectively to assess progress and design policies to implement the Convention. 20. The Committee recommends that the State party, as a priority, systematically collect disaggregated data incorporating all the areas covered by the Convention and covering all children below the age of 18 years, with emphasis on those who are in need of special protection. The State party should also develop indicators to effectively monitor and evaluate progress achieved in the implementation of the Convention and assess the impact of policies that affect children. In this context, the Committee recommends that the State party seeks technical assistance from UNICEF.