Statement In Response To The United States Decision To Deny Future Funding To UNFPA

UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, notes with deep regret that the United States of America has announced its intention to deny future funding to the organization by triggering the Kemp-Kasten Amendment. This decision is based on unfounded claims about UNFPA’s work in China that have long been disproved – including by the US Government itself. It comes in addition to termination notices UNFPA has already received for more than 40 existing humanitarian projects, amounting to some $335 million in funding.

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Following the abrupt termination of development assistance grants, this move will add further strain to the already-stretched global public health system. It will cut essential support for millions of people living in humanitarian crises and for midwives preventing mothers from dying in childbirth — work that is a ‘best-buy’ in development, a cost-effective investment that generates positive returns over generations.

UNFPA’s decades-long partnership with the United States, a founding partner, has made the world safer, stronger and more prosperous. Together, we have strengthened health systems, saved millions of lives, and improved the economic prospects of families and communities worldwide. Over the past four years alone, with the US Government’s life-saving investments, we prevented more than 17,000 maternal deaths, 9 million unintended pregnancies and nearly 3 million unsafe abortions by expanding access to voluntary family planning.

UNFPA remains keen to maintain an open dialogue with the US Government, including through the UNFPA Executive Board, of which the USA is a member.

We urge the United States to reconsider its stance and reclaim its position as a leader in global public health, saving millions of lives. Funding UNFPA – the only United Nations agency dedicated to reproductive health and rights – is the surest way of reducing the risk of coercive practices around the world.

UNFPA staff and partners are determined to support safety and dignity, progress and hope for every woman and girl. We will continue to work tirelessly under our mandate to deliver on our collective promise to women and girls around the world.

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