23 February 2023, Bahir Dar: UNFPA, the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency, today handed over 20.5 metric tones medical equipment and supplies worth USD 450,000 to the Amhara region., The medical equipment and supplies were purchased with the generous funding of the Governments of Japan, Canada, and Ireland as part of their continued support to UNFPA Ethiopia’s humanitarian response.

The handover ceremony was attended by high-level officials from the Amhara Regional Health Bureau and senior officials of the Embassy of Japan and UNFPA.

The medical equipment and supplies include 16 anesthesia and 15 ultrasound machines, 12 ultrasound printers with accessories, 7 stabilizer steams, and 16 operating lights. 142 different types of sexual and reproductive health kits were also handed over. 

The equipment and supplies will contribute to strengthening the responses for emergency obstetric and newborn care, reduce the preventable causes of neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality, and enhance the capacity of quality integrated sexual and reproductive health service delivery to the most vulnerable and affected women and girls in the crisis-affected areas.

During the ceremony, Abdulkerim Mengestu, Head of the Amhara Regional Health Bureau said that the support will save lives in some of the most conflict-affected areas of the region. “ The northern conflict, and now the current situation is having a deadly consequence, especially on women and girls. The region’s health facilities have been damaged. We appreciate the support at this very critical time. UNFPA has been providing significant support for the humanitarian needs of the Amhara region by mobilizing resources from different donors to come to the aid of the Amhara people’’ he said.  

On behalf of the Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia, Ms. Satsuki Fukai, First Secretary, Economic Division said, “Japan has continued supporting Ethiopia in tackling issues related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender-based Violence through UNFPA. Enhancement of the quality of women's and girls’ lives is crucial for peace-building and development in the country. This is in line with Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs' strong commitment to the Women, Peace, and Security agenda,''

The health system and services in the conflict-affected areas of the Amhara region have been seriously compromised by recent crises, impacting access to sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence information and services.

“The medical equipment, and supplies, Sexual reproductive health kits which are handed over today will enhance the efforts being exerted at UNFPA’s three zeros by 2030; zero unmet need for family planning; zero preventable maternal deaths; and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices,” said Dr. James Wanyama, UNFPA Ethiopia’s Humanitarian coordinator.

 The support of the Governments of Japan, Canada, and Ireland has been critical to UNFPA’s effort to meet the increasing demand for life-saving emergency maternal and newborn health, sexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence interventions.