The Republic of Korea and UNFPA join forces to meet women and girls' health needs in humanitarian crises

NEW YORK, United Nations – The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has signed a new partnership with UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, to provide reproductive health and protection services and support to women and girls in six crisis-affected countries. UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem is in Seoul to sign the new agreement with KOICA’s President, Mr. Chang Won Sam.

Over the next three years, the partnership plans to invest US $32.7 million in six countries across Africa and the Middle East that are grappling with some of the most severe consequences of insecurity and climate shocks. 

While humanitarian needs are soaring worldwide, funding is falling short – and women's and girls’ needs are too often overlooked. The KOICA-UNFPA partnership will bridge this gap by directing resources towards sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence response services. 

Speaking with the Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and the President of the KOICA, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem said, “UNFPA is grateful for the Republic of Korea’s steadfast commitment and support to safeguard the health and well-being of millions of vulnerable women around the globe who are facing the devastating consequences of humanitarian crises. With partners like KOICA, UNFPA is able to deliver lifesaving services to those in need while building a path to a more healthy, equal and peaceful world for all.” 

At the end of last year, UNFPA issued an urgent appeal for US $1.2 billion in 2024 to address the mounting needs of women and girls caught up in crises around the world. KOICA's new partnership will help respond to the needs of women in countries including the Central African Republic, Lebanon, Mali, the occupied Palestinian territories, Somalia and South Sudan. These countries are grappling with some of the highest maternal mortality rates, with millions of women and girls trapped in protracted humanitarian settings living in dire conditions.

“Women are the more vulnerable group in conflict situations,” said Mr. Chang Won Sam, President of KOICA. “For the next three years, our focus will be on improving access to gender-responsive health care and social protection services in the targeted countries. I believe that through our joint programme we can save lives.” 

Through this contribution, KOICA is helping confront the immense challenges women and girls are facing. With the allocated funding, over the next three years UNFPA will be able to reach nearly 700,000 women and girls in Africa and the Middle East with life-saving sexual and reproductive health services, and over 100,000 with gender-based violence response services through more than 130 safe spaces.