UNFPA handed-over on April 11 reproductive health medicines, equipment and supplies to support Basic and Comprehensive Obstetric and Newborn care services in 4 health centers and the Sitti Zonal Hospital in the Somali Region. The supplies consisted of 15 delivery coaches, 15 beds with mattresses, 2,600 clean delivery kits, 2,800 packs of iron folate, 1,500 dignity kits and 8 tents.
Speaking on the occasion, Victor Rakoto, UNFPA Deputy Representative, said “UNFPA is providing this support as part of its mandate on emergency responses in relation to reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and Gender Based Violence.” He added that UNFPA would continue making these kinds of emergency responses to alleviate the conditions of drought affected people. 
UNFPA recently conducted facility based rapid assessment in five El Niño induced drought affected woredas of the Sitti zone. The humanitarian supplies that were handed-over were procured based on the assessment. 
The El Niño induced disruption of rainfall has caused drought in many parts of the Ethiopia. In order to fast-track the humanitarian response to this calamity, UNFPA developed a detailed operational plan for emergency Reproductive Health responses as a contribution for the realization of the strategic objectives of the government endorsed 2016 Humanitarian Requirement Document.
The hand-over ceremony was conducted in the presence of representatives of the Somali Region Women and Children Affairs Bureau, Health Bureau, the Siti Zone, and Woreda coordinators.