UNFPA IN THE NEWS – JANUARY 29-FEBRUARY 4, 2005

TSUNAMI AID

Indonesia: Associated Press reported February 1 that a growing number of women living in tsunami-ravaged Aceh province's refugee camps could have unwanted pregnancies in coming months because of a shortage of contraceptives. "As these people start to forget the traumatic event, we expect an increase of sexual activity among the affected people, especially in the next three months," Indonesia National Family Planning Coordinating Board official, Tri Tjahjadi, said in a statement released by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. Even if Aceh officials had enough contraceptives, it would have difficulty shipping them to some areas where roads were badly damaged or washed away by waves, UNFPA said.

Sri Lanka: Daily News (Sri Lanka) reported January 31 that 177 “Relief Sisters” (Sahana Soyuriyo) were trained to help women and children tsunami survivors staying at welfare camps. The “Relief Sisters” along with government officials and representatives from the Census and Statistics Department and UNFPA participated in the workshop. Read: Daily News

United States: Suffolk Life (U.S.) reported February 2 that following the tsunami in Southeast Asia, New York Congressional representatives Steve Israel (NY) and Joseph Crowley (NY) visited the region of Galle in Sri Lanka last month to "assess the flow of relief." During their time in Galle, Israel and Crowley "saw first-hand the work of the United Nations Population Fund in providing relief to tens of thousands of women and children." Crowley explained that women and children in the area are the "most vulnerable" and the United States needs to support the UN Population Fund. In a letter to Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, dated January 24, Crowley, Israel, Congressman Al Green (TX), Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (CA), Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (PA) requested that she "re-examine the facts leading to the administration's prior decision to withhold US funding for the UNFPA.” Read: Suffolk Life

RECORD YEAR FOR UNFPA DONORS AND DONATIONS

The Washington Times reported January 31 that UNFPA said last week it has secured record contributions from 166 countries. The organization, which provides reproductive health services and education around the world, received pledges of $326 million for 2004, easily surpassing the 1996 high-water mark of $300 million. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, executive director of UNFPA, said the contributions reflect governments' "commitment to reproductive health and rights, women's empowerment and gender equality," as affirmed at the Cairo conference in 1994. Although the U. S. Congress continues to appropriate about $34 million annually to UNFPA, the White House has refused to disburse the money since 2002. The top six donors to the fund last year were Denmark, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. A number of European diplomats have remarked that their hearty support of the New York-based fund is, in part, a response to the shortfall caused by Washington's nonpayment. "All family planning is not abortion," said one Western European diplomat last week. Read: Washington Times

FORMER UNFPA HEAD DEFENDS UNITED NATIONS

Inter Press Service reported February 2 that Nafis Sadik, an eminent member of the high-level panel on threats and challenges faced by the world body, said, “We need the UN more than ever." Sadik defended the UN in an interview with IPS last week in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre that hosted the fifth World Social Forum Jan. 26 to Jan. 31. She served as executive director of UNFPA 1987 through 2000 and is now special envoy of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for HIV/AIDS in Asia. Read: Inter Press Service

BHUTAN: Her Majesty to Take an Official Tour of India

Keunsel (Bhutan) reported February 4 that from February 6 to 17, Her Majesty the Queen, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck will take an official tour of the Indian states of Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujurat to share her experiences as UNFPA goodwill ambassador. She will also be given an overview of UNFPA’s support to family planning, safe motherhood, HIV/AIDS and their work with adolescents and women’s empowerment. Read: Keunsel

CHINA: More Girls Die than Boys

Inter Press Service reported February 4 that in the world as a whole, females normally live longer than males. But in China, according to the United Nations Population Fund, very young female children below the age of three are dying off faster than their male counterparts. Read: Inter Press Service

INDIA: Website Set Up to Report Doctors Engaged in Sex Determination Tests

Delhi Newsline (India) reported February 3 that Delhi citizens are beginning to speak up against pre-natal sex determination by lodging complaints at www.indianfemalefoeticide.org. People can lodge anonymous complaints against practitioners and institutions that use reproductive technologies to inform families about the sex of the fetus. The database administrators regularly check the complaints and follow up with appropriate authorities,’’ explains Chetan Sharma, director of Datamation, which launched the website with inputs from UNICEF, UNFPA and Population Foundation of India. Read: Delhi Newsline

PAKISTAN: Population Secretary Affirms Commitment to ICPD

Pakistan Newswire reported January 31 that at a seminar, "Cairo Call – Are We Listening," organized by Marie Stopes International, Sindh Population Secretary Mushtaq Memon affirmed government's commitment to International Conference of Population and Development. Dr. Nasreen Khan, from the UNFPA office in Pakistan, told the participants about youth initiatives that UNFPA and other programs organized in both urban and rural setting.

SAMOA: Police Workshop on Increasing Reproductive Health Awareness

The Samoa Observer reported January 31 that over 40 police officers attended a workshop, “Make a Wise Choice for a Safe Samoa,” on building awareness of reproductive health issues and services. The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Health that was part of the 'Safer Samoa' campaign. The training was funded by UNFPA and coordinated by Afoa Dr. Semo Koro and Faumuina Manu Samuelu of the Ministry of Health. Read: Samoa Observer

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