SOMALI REGION, Ethiopia - In support of areas that have been severely affected by the El Niño-induced drought, UNFPA handed over reproductive health medicines, equipment and supplies to support Basic and Comprehensive Obstetric and Newborn care services at four health centres plus Sitti Zonal Hospital in the Somali Region.
The supplies included 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.
“UNFPA is providing this support as part of its mandate on emergency responses in relation to reproductive health, HIV & AIDS and gender based-violence,” said Victor Rakoto, UNFPA Deputy Representative for Ethiopia. He said UNFPA would continue responding to emergencies to alleviate the conditions of drought-affected people.
UNFPA recently conducted a 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 Ethiopia. In order to fast track the humanitarian response to this calamity, UNFPA developed a detailed operational plan for emergency Reproductive Health responses in contribution for 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.
By Meron Negash
