Abstract

PIP: The UNFPA is the largest source of financial assistance for family planning for the sub-Saharan countries of Africa. UNFPA classifies 32 of these 45 countries as priority nations. They have the highest fertility, 6.3 compared to 4.1 for the developing world as a whole, and highest infant and maternal mortality rates, 112/1000 live births and 150-1000/100,000 live births. Some causes of these poor health statistics are malnutrition, lack of sanitation and drinking water, absence of health care during pregnancy, uncontrolled fertility, illegal abortion and low education. Governments that recognize these problems often give only half-hearted or ineffective support to maternal and child health programs. The 2 objectives of UNFPA in sub-Saharan Africa are to inform and encourage governments to develop population policies, and to strengthen their capacity to undertake and manage population programs and to integrate them into development policy. The 4 major goals are to intensify public information, education and communication programs, to encourage integration of population into development planning, to support birth spacing and family planning programs, and to improve the status of women. UNFPA will support development of statistical systems, operational research, personnel training, management and coordination of multi-bilateral assistance and general program support. The agency will also assist collaboration with other UN agencies, monitoring the strategy at national level and functioning of the field offices.