The European Union has contributed EUR 1.9 million to the United Nations Population Fund to support the humanitarian response in Ukraine. The grant will be used to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for women and girls, as well as provide care and support to survivors of gender-based violence, including those who have experienced conflict-related sexual violence.
The funds will be used to support a 15-month period of operations for five mobile health units that provide emergency obstetric and newborn care to communities affected by war in the Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions. Additionally, the funds will support the establishment of 10 gynecological cabinets and ensure the functioning of 14 existing cabinets. These facilities will focus on improving access to high-quality services for the most vulnerable population, including clinical management of rape cases. A major part of the contribution is the sensitisation of medical personnel to gender-based violence and the needs of women with disabilities.
“At UNFPA, we are doing everything possible to guarantee that giving birth does not put the lives of women and babies at risk, especially in areas of active hostilities. We are thankful to the international community in general and to EU humanitarian aid in particular, for prioritizing the health and well-being of women and girls in the humanitarian response in Ukraine,” said Jaime Nadal, UNFPA Representative in Ukraine.
“Without access to quality care, women are at a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications that can lead to illness and death for mother and child. The EU’s contribution to the UNFPA’s life-saving emergency services is a crucial step towards improving the reproductive health of women and girls in Ukraine,” said Claudia Amaral, Head of EU Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine.