$1.4 billion appeal for sexual and reproductive health in crisis-hit areas

 Friday, December 6, 2024

Islamabad (News International / Pakistan Point News - 11th Dec, 2024 ) The United Nations agency for sexual and reproductive health (UNFPA) has appealed for $1.4 billion in funding next year to protect the rights and well-being of women and girls in 57 countries affected by crises.

The funds will help provide reproductive health services and programs to prevent gender-based violence to protect the lives of more than 45 million people.

The appeal comes at a time when 11 million pregnant women around the world will need emergency assistance next year.

UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Keenum said that this appeal for funding is asking the international community to invest in the health and dignity of women and girls in crisis areas and help them create a future free from fear and violence.

Displacement and Disaster

The number of people displaced worldwide due to global crises has reached 122.6 million this year, UNFPA said.

Half of them are women and girls, with natural disasters and climate shocks having a devastating impact on their lives.

For example, pregnancy and maternity problems are becoming a threat to women’s lives, while sexual assault and other forms of gender-based violence are on the rise.

Furthermore, there is a severe shortage of sufficient financial resources to respond to crises and the growing needs that result from them.

In 34 places around the world, resources for this purpose are 75 percent less than needed. As a result, millions of women and girls are unable to access essential services, putting their lives at risk and sometimes with fatal consequences.

Investing in women and girls

The Executive Director says that strengthening local and national responses and improving emergency preparedness are two of UNFPA’s top priorities for the coming year.

It also plans to increase funding for women-led organizations/institutions at the local level from 35 percent to 43 percent.

This will increase the capacity for timely responses by increasing the availability of essential equipment in multiple locations around the world so that when crises occur, they can respond quickly and effectively.

Service network

Despite unprecedented challenges in access and financial resources, this year the agency provided reproductive health services to more than 10 million people and protected and prevented 3.6 million people from gender-based violence in 59 crisis-affected countries.

The organization has also established networks of thousands of midwives and medical teams in areas where they are most needed, and is providing essential care to women through more than 3,500 health centers. In addition, more than 1,600 safe spaces for women and girls have been established.