Press Release
UNFPA Appeals for Funds for Safe Motherhood and Other Emergency Reproductive Health Needs in Liberia
06 August 2003
UNITED NATIONS, New York—As part of a United Nations inter-agency appeal for emergency aid for Liberia, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, today asked donors to provide $1.9 million for reproductive health services in the war-torn country.
“Women are dying needlessly due to complications of childbirth,” said Deji Popoola, UNFPA Representative in Liberia. “Babies are being born on roadsides in unhygienic conditions. Because of the war and a general breakdown in the social sector, there are severe shortages of safe blood supplies and drugs needed to treat sexually transmitted infections.”
With peacekeepers arriving in Liberia, humanitarian agencies at United Nations Headquarters launched a $69 million joint appeal to help Liberians cope with the breakdown in social services and order resulting from the escalation of civil war around the capital, Monrovia.
There are an estimated 450,000 internally displaced persons in Monrovia, nearly double the number prior to the escalation of fighting in June. They have sought shelter wherever possible, in sites that are overcrowded and unsanitary, and face critical shortages of food, water, medicines and other basic needs. Many civilians have been killed or wounded in indiscriminate shelling of crowded urban areas.
Last November, agencies appealed for $42.7 million for Liberia but received less than 22 per cent of the funds requested for sectors other than food aid. That appeal has been revised in response to the increased humanitarian needs, and now covers operations that can be attempted in the current insecure situation as well as activities once security begins to improve.
UNFPA is asking for $200,000 for the immediate period, to provide safe transfusion supplies, clean home delivery kits and basic drugs. For the next phase, it seeks $1.7 million for HIV prevention and supplies; supplies for emergency obstetric care; treatment of sexual assault victims and sexually transmitted infections; training of health service providers; family planning information and services; and assessment of reproductive health needs and monitoring of programmes.
“Once hostilities are brought to a halt, UNFPA will go back in and assist with equipment and supplies for obstetric and gynaecological needs,” Mr. Popoola said. We will work in collaboration with other relevant agencies in equipping clinics, hospitals and maternity wards; ensuring that babies are delivered in a sanitary, hygienic environment; and ensuring that drugs are available. And we will work with WHO to ensure the availability of a safe blood supply.”
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UNFPA is the world's largest multilateral source of population assistance. Since it became operational in 1969, it has provided about $6 billion to developing countries to meet reproductive health needs and support development efforts.
Contact Information:
Kristin Hetle
Tel.: +1 212-297-5020
Email: hetle@unfpa.org
