UN Population Fund Welcomes Increased U.S. Funding

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has expressed appreciation for the funding increase the U.S. Congress has approved for international family planning activities in 2002. In the foreign aid bill approved December 20, the U.S. Congress authorized a $34 million contribution for UNFPA, an increase of $12.5 million over the 2001 appropriation of $21.5 million.

"With additional funds from the United States, UNFPA will be able to do much more to save women's lives around the world and to help improve the quality of life in poor countries," said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya A. Obaid.

Following is the text of the press release:

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UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND

December 21, 2001

U.S. Congress Appropriates $34 Million to UN Population Fund for 2002

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 21 December 2001 -- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) today warmly welcomed the decision by the United States Congress to increase support to UNFPA in 2002. The House of Representatives and the Senate this week appropriated $34 million to the Fund. This year the United States gave UNFPA $21.5 million.

"With additional funds from the United States, UNFPA will be able to do much more to save women's lives around the world and to help improve the quality of life in poor countries," said Executive Director Thoraya A. Obaid.

"I am very grateful for the strong support the Fund has received from the United States administration and Congress -- in effect, a vote of confidence in our work to promote reproductive health including family planning, safe motherhood and prevention of HIV/AIDS, along with gender equality and population-related strategies to reduce poverty."

"The needs are urgent," she noted. "This year 5 million people were infected with HIV, half of them under age 25. Most do not know they are infected. Many millions more do not know how to protect themselves. Half a million women die each year from preventable pregnancy-related causes. And 350 million couples worldwide lack access to a range of contraceptive methods, resulting in millions of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions and many thousands of maternal deaths."

"We hope this increase signals a return by the United States to funding levels of a decade ago," Ms. Obaid added. "The United States has traditionally stood in the forefront of international donors in the population field. United States leadership is appreciated and especially important in encouraging donor nations to do their fair share."

UNFPA is the world's largest international source of population assistance. Since it began operations in 1969, the Fund has provided about $5 billion in assistance to virtually all developing countries. The United Nations General Assembly has thanked the Fund for creating awareness of population issues, providing systematic assistance to developing countries, and helping to improve the quality of human life.

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