UNITED NATIONS, New York — The European Commission has contributed € 14.87 million to help UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, provide equipment and supplies for obstetric and maternal health in 17 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in conflict or post-conflict situations. The contribution will last for two years, helping millions of people to use affordable, good-quality reproductive health commodities of their choice.
Countries to benefit from the new European contribution, selected in agreement with the ACP Group of States, include Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Sudan. Funding for reproductive health and family planning programmes in these countries has dropped far behind the demand, with the fight against HIV/AIDS making the situation more urgent.
“UNFPA is very pleased with this generous contribution by the European Commission, which will shore up reproductive health and family planning services in countries where they are most needed,” said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. “This welcome initiative will help millions of couples plan their families and space their children, and avoid sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, and the risks associated with childbirth. It will also help the countries pursue the Millennium Development Goals of improving maternal health and preventing HIV.”
The European initiative will help countries estimate current and future reproductive health commodity requirements, and buy and deliver products when and where they are needed. Supplies for obstetric and maternal health include pregnancy-testing kits, antenatal care equipment, and delivery kits, including those for Caesarean sections. They also include contraceptives and other supplies for preventing and treating sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
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UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.
Contact Information:
Abubakar Dungus
Tel.: +1 (212) 297-5031
Email: dungus@unfpa.org
Omar Gharzeddine
Tel.: +1 (212) 297-5028
Email: gharzeddine@unfpa.org