UNFPA today handed-over lifesaving Reproductive Health kits to the Health Bureau of the Afar Region. The supplies which are worth 5.3 million Birr will be distributed to woredas affected by the recent conflict in northern Ethiopia to address the needs of more than 150,000 people for the next 3 months.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Yasin Habib, Head of the Afar Regional Health Bureau, said UNFPA’s support to the region was critical especially in restoring the functionality of the health facilities which were damaged by the two years conflict in northern Ethiopia. The Bureau head acknowledged the support of UNFPA through the supply of high-spec ambulances, different medical equipment and supplies, lifesaving RH kits, deployment of midwives, and different capacity-building interventions. “These have contributed a lot to strengthening the health system of the region to create access to SRH and Maternal health services and referral systems for women and girls in the conflict-affected areas,” Mr. Yasin noted.

Mr. Koffi Kouame, UNFPA Country Representative, said on the occasion that UNFPA would continue to support to strengthen the health system in the region to provide life-saving services targeting women and young people. He went on to indicate that UNFPA would support the recovery efforts in the region through the provision of medical equipment, supplies, lifesaving RH kits as well as the mobile health system to expand the life-saving services in areas where the services are critically needed.

UNFPA is closely working with governmental and humanitarian actors in ensuring continuation of sexual and reproductive health services and response services to mitigate gender-based violence addressing the needs of displaced and host community women and girls, men and boys and people with specific needs. UNFPA is also supporting programme interventions focusing on adolescent and youth development and abandonment of harmful practices such as FGM and early marriage.

During the hand-over ceremony the Head of the Bureau of Health assured UNFPA that all the supplies will be distributed to the selected health facilities.