UNFPAUNFPA Annual Report 2001
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UNFPA emergency assistance to Afghanistan helped mothers like this one deliver safely.

Photo: UNFPA/William A. Ryan

Advocacy and awareness-raising

Too often neglected in the rush to provide relief, reproductive health information and services are required from the start of a crisis.

UNFPA raises awareness about the importance of incorporating reproductive health in humanitarian responses. We work closely with many partners, endeavouring to leverage limited resources to establish the services that are the right of vulnerable populations.

In November, UNFPA organized a meeting in Bratislava to discuss the impact of conflict on women and girls. Nearly 50 participants attended from governments, UN agencies and NGOs—agreeing that refugee and peace-building efforts must address reproductive health and gender violence.

Aid to Afghanistan

UNFPA launched its largest-ever humanitarian operation in September 2001, when hundreds of thousands of Afghans fled their homes to escape armed conflict.

First priority was to assist the thousands of pregnant women among the displaced and refugees. UNFPA pre-positioned emergency relief supplies in the countries bordering Afghanistan both for refugees and for distribution inside the country, when conditions permitted.

Initial support included clean-delivery supplies, support for border-area hospitals receiving referrals with pregnancy and childbirth complications, and counselling for victims of trauma.

As the task has shifted to helping rebuild Afghanistan, UNFPA is assessing maternal and child health care facilities, providing training and equipping maternity hospitals, as part of a longerterm plan for reconstruction and rehabilitation.

The Fund is also advocating the involvement of Afghan women in the planning and delivery of services. Even before the crisis, maternal and infant mortality in Afghanistan were among the highest in the world, and since 1998 UNFPA has directed support to NGOs working to improve reproductive health in the country.