POPULATION FUND WELCOMES AFRICA’S SUPPORT, RECOMMITS TO SAVING LIVES IN DEVELOPING WORLD UNITED NATIONS,

POPULATION FUND WELCOMES AFRICA’S SUPPORT, RECOMMITS TO SAVING LIVES

IN DEVELOPING WORLD UNITED NATIONS,

NEW YORK, 9 August(UNFPA) – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has welcomed the expression of support from the more than 50 African countries in the United Nations, which jointly wrote the United States Administration, urging it to restore its contributions to the Fund.  The Administration has withheld $34 million appropriated for UNFPA by Congress.

“I deeply appreciate Africa’s vote of confidence in UNFPA’s work to save lives by helping to reduce maternal deaths and slow the spread of HIV/AIDS in developing countries”, said Thoraya Obaid, the Fund’s Executive Director.  “UNFPA will continue playing its role in promoting the development of Africa and other developing regions by providing concrete assistance in line with its resources and mandate.”

Africa is a major beneficiary of UNFPA’s programmes and the sizeable reduction in its budget due to the recent funding decision will have a negative impact on the continent’s population programmes, the African countries stated in their letter to the United States Secretary of State, Colin Powell.

“We are particularly disturbed by its potential impact on our efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS, promote family planning and improve the lives of children, especially the girl-child and of women, which are all critical for Africa's growth and development”, they wrote.

For more information, contact: Abubakar Dungus, UNFPA, New York. Tel.: +1 (212) 297-5031, Fax: +1 (212) 557-6416, e-mail: dungus@unfpa.org,

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