UNITED NATIONS, New York — In response to needs generated by the cyclone that hit Bangladesh in mid-November, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is distributing 40 delivery kits to 40 upazilla, or subdistrict health facilities, which take care of pregnant women. The supplies will help ensure the safe delivery of approximately 30,000 babies expected to be born in the cyclone-affected regions within the next two to three months.

An estimated 30,000 women — of the 6.7 million people affected by the storm — are carrying third-trimester pregnancies. Almost 4,500 of them are likely to experience potentially life-threatening complications. The supplies will help prevent maternal deaths and disabilities among them.

The reproductive health kits will also provide other safe motherhood services to women who come to the facilities for safe delivery. Designed for complicated deliveries, the kits include intravenous fluids and drip sets, antibiotics, pain killers and syringes, sterile gloves and a small sterilizing machine.

UNFPA will be also conducting field visits to the affected areas to closely monitor the status of maternal health there and to oversee the use of the kits that were airlifted into Bangladesh last week.

Contact Information:

Abubakar Dungus
Tel.: +1 (212) 297-5031
Email: dungus@unfpa.org