Funds for UNPFA Threatened – PAI Urges White House to Honor Funding Agreement

January 14, 2002

Washington, DC -- Population Action International (PAI) today expressed dismay over news that the Bush Administration may reduce or deny funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the foremost UN agency involved in expanding access to family planning and maternal health care around the world, including in Afghanistan.

"In Afghanistan, women bear an average of seven children, and childbirth is extremely risky. Worldwide, a woman dies every minute in childbirth," said Amy Coen, President of PAI. "For years, UNFPA has worked to better these odds, helping make critical health services available to women in the poorest parts of the world. For the President to do this, at this time, flies in the face of his proclaimed concern for all women, including those in Afghanistan. It's unconscionable."

"Just two months ago the President believed enough in the work of UNFPA to invest an additional $600,000 in its programs in Afghanistan. What's changed in two months? What have women done to deserve this?"

Less than a month ago, Congress approved $34 million in funding for UNFPA as part of the foreign operations spending bill; the President himself had requested $25 million. Any loss of funds would not only undermine UNFPA's work in developing countries, but would also have serious political implications.

"The $34 million for UNFPA represents an agreement between Democrat and Republican appropriators and ratified by the full House and Senate," said Lisa Moreno, Senior Legislative Policy Analyst at PAI. "To fund UNFPA at a lower level is nothing less than the White House circumventing the will of Congress."

"We urge the Administration to continue its previous support for UNFPA," said Ms. Coen. "Honor the bi-partisan agreement that emerged from the appropriations process and give the full $34 million to UNFPA, so that they can continue to do the work of saving women's lives."