UNFPA IN THE NEWS—JULY 22-AUGUST 4 , 2006

CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

LEBANON: Humanitarian Appeal Launched for Worsening Conflict

UN News Centre reported July 24 that the United Nations launched a $149 million humanitarian appeal for Lebanon to cover three months worth of food, healthcare, logistics, water and sanitation, protection and common services for an estimated 800,000 people affected by the worsening conflict. The story noted that the WHO, which is coordinating the U.N.’s health action in this crisis in collaboration with Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, is appealing for $32.4 million. WHO, whose partners include UNICEF, UNFPA and the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said that among other things the funds will help increase support for the health ministry in coordinating the humanitarian response, setting up mobile health care units and putting in place urgent immunization campaigns for internally displaced persons. “Urgent action is needed to protect the health and well-being of women, children and other innocent civilians,” said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, whose agency has asked for just over $6 million. “The widespread destruction of public infrastructure and services is dangerous for everyone, but especially for pregnant women, the injured and others who may need medical care to survive.” Read: UN News Centre, Inter Press Service

OPT: U.N. Reminds of Ongoing Conflict in Gaza

UN News Centre reported August 3 that with global attention focused on Lebanon, United Nations humanitarian agencies working in the occupied Palestinian territory issued a statement about the ongoing fighting there and reminding all parties of their obligation under international humanitarian law to protect civilians. The story noted that UNFPA said it “is deeply concerned about the recent shelling that damaged health facilities and restricted access to reproductive health services, especially ante-natal and post-natal care.” The agency has continuously supported procurement of essential items for the delivery of health care. Read: UN News Centre

CAMPAIGN TO END FISTULA

Voice of America reported August 3 that UNFPA released its annual report on the Global Campaign to End Fistula. Kate Ramsey, head of the UNFPA campaign said: “Obstetric fistula was little known for a long time, but it’s really emerging that it continues to exist across the continents of Asia and Africa predominantly…but due to better access to maternal health care services to obstetric services in most parts of the world it’s been eliminated. But because in Asia and Africa we know many women do not have access to that care. They are dying in childbirth and those that actually survive some of them end up with obstetric fistula.” The story noted the campaign has grown from 12 countries in 2003 to nearly 40. Read: Voice of America

Ghana: The Ghana News Agency reported July 24 that during a UNFPA and Pathfinder visit to the Mercy Ship that stopped in Ghana to provide surgical services, Pathfinder International country director Andrew Arkutu called for the training of more local doctors to repair the increasing number of obstetric fistula cases. Dr. Makane Kane, UNFPA country director in Ghana, said UNFPA had brought about 40 women with fistula to undergo surgical repairs on the ship. Ghana News Agency’s August 3 story reported UNFPA’s Doris Aglobitse expressed her appreciation to the ship’s medical team for helping to restore the hope of the poor and vulnerable, especially, children and women with fistula cases, who had been neglected by society. Read: Ghana News Agency: July 24, Aug. 3, Public Agenda

Nigeria: The Guardian reported July 27 on the Vesico Vaginal Fistula Centre located in Uyo. The story also noted that studies done by UNFPA show that Nigeria may have one of the highest fistula prevalence rates in Africa.

West Africa: IRIN reported August 3 that during the release of the campaign’s annual report, Angela Walker, UNFPA regional information adviser for Africa, said: “Pregnancy problems are exacerbated when a young woman becomes pregnant before her body is mature enough, then labor can be obstructed.” Walker explained: “Our strategy has been to involve religious leaders and other community heads as they can communicate the message more effectively. We have had a positive response in both Christian and Muslim communities.” Read: IRIN

ANGOLA: Health Ministry Calls for Increase in Quality of Life

Angola Press Agency reported August 4 that the Angolan Health Ministry recently released the "2006 Civic Agenda," a document calling on the need to raise the quality of life through strengthening civic consciousness. The agenda says that "malnutrition is a public health program that mainly affects pregnant women and children below the age of five, capable of causing irreversible injuries in the physical and mental development of the children." The "2006 Civic Agenda" was elaborated by the National Public Health Department, together with the Mosaiko Cultural Centre, UNICEF, UNFPA and the WHO. Read: Angola Press Agency

ELIZE: Youth for the Future Program Targets Gang Members

Science reported July 28 on the Youth for the Future program that targets HIV-prevention programs for gang members. With support from UNFPA and the OPEC Fund, the program maintains a resource center that holds HIV/AIDS prevention education sessions and features HIV-prevention resources such as free male and female condoms, pamphlets on HIV/AIDS prevention and Internet access (free to students). Read: Science

FIJI: Condom Shortage Reported

Fijivillage.com reported August 3 that Fiji experienced an increase in demand for contraceptives that resulted in a shortage of condoms. The story noted that UNFPA alleviated the shortage by donating 140,000 condoms to the Health Ministry to be distributed to health centers around the country. UNFPA Director Najib Assifi said without access to condoms, women and men are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS as well as unplanned pregnancies. Read: Fijivillage.com

Fiji Times reported August 4 that while handing over the condom supplies, Assifi said Fiji was the only country in the Pacific with a dedicated budget towards contraceptives and reproductive health commodities. He added without access to contraceptives, couples would normally find themselves with children too soon, or with more than they desired or could cope with. Read: Fiji Times, Sun

HAITI: Mrs. Annan Visits Centre of Hope

Le Nouvelliste reported August 4 from the visit of Mrs. Nane Annan to the UNFPA-supported hotline for HIV/AIDS, RH and sexual violence (“Telephone Bleu”) and a related care centre. She was accompanied by the Prime Minister’s wife. During the visit, UNFPA representative Hernando Clavijo briefed  Mrs. Annan about UNFPA's support to women's rights in Haiti. While there, she had a free discussion with a group of women and men living with HIV/AIDS, followed by a confidential conversation with three women who had been raped. Before leaving, Mrs Annan signed a quilt in support to people living with HIV/AIDS.

HONDURAS: Working with the Church on HIV/AIDS Efforts

The magazine Science reported July 28 how in  Honduras, church leaders are now trying to become part of the solution with stepped-up efforts that aim to slow HIV's spread and help the infected. These church representatives are not  advocating the use of condoms, but representatives from four denominations are working with the United Nations Population Fund in the year-old Interreligious Committee to contribute to Honduras's national strategic plan for confronting its HIV/AIDS epidemic. "This is the first time we've worked with faith-based organizations, and the nice thing is we put our position on the table," says Alanna Armitage, who heads the UNFPA office here. "We would not work with them if we couldn't talk about condoms or they said they weren't effective. There's no more time to fight on this." Read: Science

INDIA: Gurus Sought to Help Spread Awareness on Women’s Rights

Hindustan Times reported August 4 that Renuka Chowdhary, minister-in-charge of women and child development, is scheduled to meet with eight seers to persuade them to help raise awareness against female infanticide, gender imbalance and polyandry (the practice of brothers marrying one woman). The story cited a recent UNFPA study that revealed the poor sex ratio in the districts of Fatehgarh and Gurudaspur in Punjab and Kurukshetra and Ambala in Haryana, where men outnumber women. In addition, the report found that crime against women has gone up by 15-20 percent. A ministry official citing the report said, “Women from the tribal areas of Jharkhand and Bihar are forced into marriage and prostitution in rural Punjab and Haryana.” Read: Hindustan Times

INDIA: Training Held for Adolescent Peer Volunteers

Daijiworldreported August 1 that the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, in association with Nehru Yuva Kendra Sanghatan and UNFPA, organized a training program for Adolescent Peer Volunteers from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Orissa. The Hindu reported July 28 that Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, in conjunction with UNFPA’s adolescent health and development project, are conducting the program targeted at the 15 to 25 age group to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Read: Daijiworld, The Hindu

INDIA: The Central Chronicle reported July 29 that during a State Health Mission meeting, it was announced that a total of 1,182 doctors and 779 staff nurses have been recruited to improve health facilities and intensify efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. Representatives from UNICEF and UNFPA attended the gathering along with representatives from various government sectors. Read: Central Chronicle

KAZAKHSTAN: Anonymous Services Needed

Novoe Pokolenie  ran an interview on August 4 with Ms. Raushan Sarsembaeva, President of the Association of Business Women of Kazakhstan (BWA), who spoke about the association's partnership with UNFPA in providing young people information about reproductive health. "There is a big need among youth for anonymous information about  reproductive health", she said.  Technical specialist of UNFPA, Ms.Gaziza Moldakulova, added that in Kazakhstan, problems faced by young people influence seriously on their physical and moral potential. "We must care about young people's health as a whole, and about their reproductive health in particular", she said, at the occasion af announcing a writing contest for the country's journalists on population issues. The contest is co-sposored by  UNFPA , BWA and the National Healthy Life Style Center, and  the winner will be announced  in December.

MAURITIUS: Emphasis on the Increasing Feminization of AIDS Needed at Toronto Conference

Ahead of the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto, L’Express ran an August 1 op ed by Mbonisi Zikhali of SAfAIDS who called for “the need to emphasize the increasing feminization of the pandemic, which continues to worsen the situation of women.” Zikhali noted that in response to the political declaration for the UNGASS Review, UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid expressed her concern at the increasing prevalence of HIV and AIDS in women compared to men. She noted that Obaid said the prevalence among women has jumped from 30 percent 20 years ago, to nearly 50 percent. Read: L’Express

MEXICO: Prevention Programs Target Migrants

The magazine Science ran a story July 28 about HIV prevention efforts among migrants crossing the Guatemalan-Mexican border. Educavida, a nongovernmental organization sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund to do HIV/AIDS education and prevention, targets the wide array of migrants who temporarily call the border town Tecún Umán home. "Some stop here because they're thinking of the American dream, and this is a place along the route," says Educavida's director, psychologist Brigida Garcia. No solid figures exist on how many Mexicans and Central Americans migrate to the United States each year, but experts estimate that they number more than 1 million. Read:  Science

MOZAMBIQUE: Behaviour Change Thanks to Youth Programme

Savana reported August 4 that the Vice Minister of Youth in Mozambique praised the programme "Geracao Biz", saying that thanks to this UNFPA-supported programme,  "a lot of young girls stay in school and don't get pregnant. We must ensure that this effort will continue", he said. 

MOROCCO: Success of “Youth for Youth” Program Reviewed on World Population Day

Morocco Times reported July 29 that World Population Day celebrations included an overview of the achievements of the “Youth for Youth” program that promotes social and psychological development of Morocco’s young people. UNFPA Representative in Morocco Georges Giorgi summarized the program by saying, “Despite all cultural differences, all the youth around the world have the same major needs: having their voices heard and having the right to actively participate in their countries' development.” Read: Morocco Times: July 28, July 29

NEPAL: Project Launched to Deliver Reproductive Health Services to Conflict Areas

Kantipur reported August 2 that UNFPA launched a one-year project funded by the Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission to deliver mobile reproductive health services to conflict-affected populations. “The aim of the project is to organize reproductive health camps in Dang, Rolpa and Banke of Mid-western Development region as well as Dadeldhura, Doti and Accham of Far-western Development region,” said Dr. Rajendra Gurung, a reproductive health specialist with UNFPA. Junko Sazaki, UNFPA’s representative to Nepal said: “This project is highly relevant to ensure that preventive and corrective measures for reproductive health concerns can be provided before they severely limit livelihoods.” Read: Kantipur, The Himalayan Times, The Rising Nepal, IRIN, UN News Centre, Xinhua General News Service

NIGERIA: Media Tour of UNFPA-Assisted Programs

The Daily Champion reported July 24 that during a four-day media tour of UNFPA-assisted programs in Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states, health experts said poverty, illiteracy and gender inequality have been identified as major causes of high infant and maternal mortality in Nigeria. Coordinator, gender and advocacy, Buki Ponle said the current fifth country program (2003-2007) valued at $40 million is targeted at improving maternal and child health, population information, education and birth documentation in Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Borno, Delta, Edo, Gombe, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Plateau, Rivers, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto states. Gombe State UNFPA Program Adviser Bashe Dasgot said increased public awareness and education on HIV/AIDS and family planning services had improved access of women and youths to health services in the state. Read: The Daily Champion

The Daily Champion ran an August 3 column by Adeze Ojukwu who participated in a media tour of UNFPA programs in Gombe and other North East states. Ojukwu urged: “Governments at all levels must rise up to the challenges of the infection and the peculiar demands of the sufferers. This clarion call deserves the highest priority.” Read: The Daily Champion

NIGERIA: Drop in HIV Infections Due to Condom Use

The Tide reported August 2 that the reduction in the spread of HIV in Ogun and Osun states has been attributed partly to increased use of condom. In Osun, UNFPA supports the State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA) by providing materials including condoms for distribution at the Voluntry Counseling Training (VCT) centers. A UNFPA official in Osun, said that the awareness level on HIV and AIDS was high as the state’s SACA continued its collaboration with NGOs. He said the flow of information on HIV/AIDS had reduced the prevalence by almost 20 percent in the last 15 months. Read: The Tide

NIGERIA: Four Voluntary Counseling and Training Planned

Xinhua General News Service reported July 31 that Francis Ayansi, a senior UNFPA official, said plans are set to create at least two Voluntary Counseling and Training (VCT) centers on HIV/AIDS in each of Nigeria's southwestern states of Ogun and Osun. "We are waiting for the funds but arrangements have been concluded to enable us to cope with the influx of people," he said. According to the coordinator of the VCT Center in Ogun, Lola Olusaga, "We used to have 50 to 100 people coming for counseling per week but now it has increased to between 250 and 300 per week," she said.

NIGERIA: News Agency of Nigeria Commended for Reporting

The Tide reported July 28 that Delta State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Festus Okubor advised media organizations to emulate the News Agency of Nigeria’s commitment to professionalism in reporting. NAN’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Dipo Ogbede, said the agency was currently repositioning itself for better service delivery with assistance from the federal government, UNFPA, UNESCO and some other organizations. Read: The Tide

NIGERIA: Girls' School Enrollment Increases

The Guardian reported July 27 on increase in girl-child school enrollment in Nigeria’s north-east region. The story also noted UNFPA’s 30-year relationship of working with the federal government.

NORTH KOREA: “Whooping Cough” Claims Children

The Daily NK reported July 24 that recently some children died of “whooping cough,” an acute respiratory epidemic, in Hamhung and Chongjin. According to UNFPA, the 2004 death rate of infants below one-year of North Korea accounts for 58 out of 1,000 infants, which is ten times as high as that of South Korea (5.3 out of 1,000 infants). Read: The Daily NK

PAKISTAN: UNAIDS in Pakistan to Launch Web Site

The Pakistan Newswire reported August 1 that UNAIDS in Pakistan will have a separate Web site from UNDP. The story noted that UNAIDS coordinates all HIV/AIDS-related activities undertaken by the U.N. system by bringing together the efforts and resources from UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank.

PAKISTAN: Seminar on Female Health Workers Role in Safe Motherhood

The Pakistan Newswire reported July 30 that the National Program for Family Planning and Primary Health Care Punjab organized a seminar in collaboration with UNFPA on the role of female health workers in safe motherhood as a part of celebration of international events on health and population. Dr. Shabir Ahmad, UNFPA technical advisor, addressed the seminar.

PERU: Government Must Address Widespread Poverty

Reuters reported July 26 that upon taking office, President-elect Alan Garcia was cautioned that the country could explode into crippling protests if his government cannot combine its pro-business agenda with cutting chronic poverty. The story cited a joint study by UNFPA and Peru’s Ministry of Health that found contributing factors to the “time bomb” are that about 62 percent of young Peruvians are poor; the number of Peruvian women who die during childbirth is one of the highest levels in Latin America; and one in three women in Peru's jungle region become pregnant before age 20.

PHILIPPINES: Culture Hindering Condom Use, Country Unprepared for USAID Pull Out

Reuters reported July 31 that in the Philippines, macho culture and myths about side-effects from condoms, used by only an estimated 1.9 percent of married couples, and vasectomies mean that contraception in the country is seen as the woman's problem. The story also noted that USAID, the Philippines’ biggest provider of contraceptives for the past 30 years, has stopped supplying condoms and plans to end the rest of its contraceptive donation program by 2008. Dr. Zahidul Huque of UNFPA said private businesses were not ready to take up where USAID was leaving off for fear of a negative reaction from the church. "USAID are pulling out without preparing the country," Huque said. In the absence of a government push to tackle population growth, charities and local medical professionals are trying to fill the gap. Read: Reuters

SUDAN AND JAPAN: UNFPA Receives Aid to Combat Maternal Mortality in Sudan

Associated Press reported July 30 that Japan's Foreign Ministry announced that $1.3 million of funding will be channeled through the United Nations Secretariat and go toward a UNFPA project in the Nuba Mountains region of south-central Sudan to combat the region’s high maternal mortality. The program will train midwives on family planning methods and provides basic obstetric care.

UZBEKISTAN: Roundtable Held on Population and Development

UzReport.com reported August 3 that UNFPA and the Centre for Socio-Economic Research organized a roundtable entitled, "Interrelation of population and socio-economic development." Participants discussed population issues in Uzbekistan in relation to the global demographic processes, the impact of regional differentiation to development and the consequences of new birthrates. Read: UzReport.com

VIETNAM: Workshop on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence

Vietnam News Service reported August 1 that the Vietnam Women's Union launched a component of the $3.8-million reproductive health project financed by UNFPA at a workshop to raise awareness in the community about reproductive and sexual healthcare and domestic violence by publishing documents and leaflets. Read: Vietnam News Service

WEST AFRICA: Ministers Meet on Avian Flue, Polio

Agence France-Presse reported July 25 that West African health ministers met in the Nigerian capital of Abuja to discuss the latest developments in the avian flu and polio epidemics. The story noted representatives of the eight-member Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa, the African Union, the European Union, USAID, UNFPA, WHO, and UNICEF were scheduled to take part in the meeting. Read: Agence France-Presse

ZAMBIA: U.N. Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS Stephen Lewis on Four-Day Visit

The Post reported July 24 that during a four-day visit, U.N. Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS Stephen Lewis said the IMF and World Bank could contribute to Africa's well being by being more flexible and generous in policies and funds allocation. Lewis also said Zambia's struggle against the HIV/AIDS pandemic was still desperate. The story noted that Lewis was received by UNDP Resident Representative Aeneas Chuma, UNFPA Representative Dr. Poopola, Agriculture Minister Mundia Sikatana and National AIDS Council Director Dr Ben Chirwa. Read: The Post

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