MAPUTO from Mozambique– The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and UNFPA, the United Nations agency for sexual and reproductive health, signed and launched the project “Improving reproductive, maternal and adolescent health in Sofala province, in Mozambique ”.

The $ 8.55 million project, which will be carried out over four years from 2021 to 2025, will serve more than 500,000 women and adolescents in central Sofala province, with a focus on central districts heavily affected by the cyclone Idai – Beira, Dondo, Nhamatanda and Buzi. KOICA contributed $ 7 million, with UNFPA Mozambique cofinancing of $ 1.55 million.

KOICA Mozambique Office Country Director Young Sun Jung said: “Health services, including emergency obstetric and newborn care, are critical to reducing maternal and newborn mortality during humanitarian crises. KOICA is pleased to support women and girls in Districts affected by Cyclone Idai in Sofala Province and to build resilience to future crises. “

HE the Korean Ambassador to Mozambique, Sung Jun Yeo, said: “The Embassy of the Republic of Korea is proud to contribute to the important efforts to increase the coverage of quality essential services, including health services for mothers and newborns, family planning and violence response and prevention. We look forward to providing this support to these vulnerable women and adolescents. “

“As in the case of Cyclone Idai, natural disasters limit access to sexual and reproductive health services, including access to family planning, childbirth and emergency obstetric care. Women and girls are also becoming more vulnerable to sexual violence, ”said UNFPA Resident Representative in Mozambique, Andrea M. Wojnar. “There is an urgent need to continue to increase the capacity of reproductive health services in areas affected by Cyclone Idai. We thank KOICA for its support in providing these health services. “

Activities are concentrated in areas of Sofala province that suffered massive destruction of infrastructure, including health facilities, in March 2019 due to Cyclone Idai. As these areas are extremely vulnerable to natural disasters, the project will strengthen the resilience of communities and local capacities to reduce the impact of crises linked to climate change. The project aims to improve sexual, reproductive, maternal and adolescent health and the quality of reproductive, sexual, maternal and adolescent health interventions.

UNFPA will carry out the project in partnership with the Mozambican Ministry of Health (MISAU), the Provincial Directorate of Health (DPS), the Provincial Directorate of Gender, Children and Social Assistance (DPGCAS) and Local NGOs and professional partner organizations. The project was developed after consultation with the government of Mozambique, including MISAU, DPS and DPGCAS Sofala, and with KOICA.

Project activities will include: training primary health care service providers in family planning, antenatal and postnatal care services, and emergency care; provision of maternity kits for health facilities and medical equipment where rehabilitation is needed; and training of community health workers to provide family planning services at the community level and care for pregnant women. The project will also provide training to health providers on the provision of sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents, girls and boys, and build capacity to respond to GBV in health facilities.

Kicking off the decade of action, this project will directly contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 3 (good health and well-being), 5 (gender equality) and 13 (climate action) by increasing access to sexual and reproductive health services. , promoting gender equality. at all levels and reduce all forms of violence against women and girls.

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ABOUT KOICA

KOICA is Korea’s leading development cooperation agency for achieving global social values. KOICA contributes to the advancement of international cooperation through various projects which establish friendly and collaborative relations and mutual exchanges between Korea and developing countries and support economic and social development in developing countries.

Follow KOICA Mozambique on Facebook, and visit the KOICA website.

ABOUT UNFPA

UNFPA is the United Nations agency for sexual and reproductive health, it aims to create a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and the potential of every young person is realized. UNFPA is the lead agency for gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health during humanitarian emergencies.

Follow UNFPA Mozambique on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and visit our website.

For more information please contact:

KOICA Mozambique: Youngin Kim, [email protected]

UNFPA Mozambique: Karlina Salu, [email protected] +258 8405 60246 and Sandra Black, [email protected]