Mogadishu, 12 December 2018 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, via the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation – Mogadishu Office, is making a contribution of 3 million Euros towards the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Programme for Somalia for 2018 to 2020.

In partnership with UNFPA, this generous contribution will support the Federal Government of Somalia’s efforts towards social and human development, particularly in the Federal Government National Development Plan areas of health, youth, gender and institutional building.

The Ambassador of Italy to Somalia His Excellency Mr. Carlo Campanile stressed the importance of supporting maternal and child health in Somalia, with a focus on reducing maternal mortality in the region. This contribution will prioritize the health of women and children in several regions, resulting in saving the lives of children and women in Somalia.

The UNFPA Representative, Mr. Nikolai Botev, said the funding from Italy is significant in contributing to improved access to reproductive health services through enhanced reproductive health-care service delivery processes, increased family planning service uptake and increased reproductive health commodity security, obstetric fistula prevention and management, and strengthened capacities of national and local authorities. Part of the resources will be allocated to support vital health service provision in key hospitals.

“We are very thankful to the Government of Italy and the Italian people for this very generous funding,” said Mr. Botev. He restated UNFPA’s commitment towards its overall goal of working towards the reduction of maternal mortality with women, youth, and populations affected by humanitarian crisis, being the country programme’s primary targets.

The Minister of Health and Human Services, H.E. Dr. Fawziya Abikar Nor expressed her gratitude to all who are contributing to improving maternal and child health in Somalia. She particularly commended the Government of Italy and UNFPA for continuing to be reliable partners towards improving the health and wellbeing of the Somali people.

“Many programmes and actions for improved maternal and reproductive health depend on an overall improvement in functioning of the health system and we’re thankful for the strong relationship we have with the Government of Italy and UNFPA in the provision of the essential health services including new-born and maternal health services,” said Dr. Abikar.

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For more information, please contact:

Ms. Pilirani Semu-Banda, Communications, Partnerships and Donor Relations Specialist, UNFPA Somalia, Tel: +254 734500439; semu-banda@unfpa.org