This funding will be used to scale up reproductive health and protection services, including establishing mobile and stationary clinics in locations such as relocation sites.
Overall, more than 36 million people across Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya need humanitarian assistance because of the drought.
Protect important services
Conflict, locust infestation and the lingering effects of COVID-19 The pandemic is exacerbating its effects, pushing millions to the brink of starvation.
As the food security situation continues to deteriorate, women and girls are facing hunger and other serious threats to their health, rights and safety, speak Dr. Natalia Kanem, who UNFPA Managing director.
“We need to act now to save thousands of lives while providing women and girls with the essential support they desperately need and the opportunity to build a better future,” she stressed.
Forced to find food
Drought is for the region worst in four decades and will continue to go well into 2023, UN agencies and their humanitarian partners warning last week.
Only two counties in Somalia are at risk of famine.
According to UNFPA, about 1.7 million people have been forced to leave their homes in search of food, water and basic services.
Mostly mothers, who usually end up walk for days or even weeks.
A girl walks with a water container in the Afar region, Ethiopia.
Live at risk
These perilous walks increase women’s vulnerability to violence, exploitation and sexual abuse.
UNFPA reports that widespread gender-based violence is on the rise.
As families face desperate choices to survive, reports of girls dropping out of school, female genital mutilation and child marriage are widespread.
Concerns of expectant mothers
The UN agency says access to basic health services, including family planning and maternal health care, has been severely compromised.
The consequences can be dire, even for more than 892,000 pregnant women who will give birth in the next three months.
Malnutrition in pregnant and lactating women is acute, increases the risk of serious pregnancy complications, if not death, and is associated with many complications.bad reports about mothers who are too weak to raise their children.
Step up support
Appeal in response to escalating demands.
In addition to establishing mobile and stationary medical clinics, UNFPA will deploy trained midwives to facilities located in areas of greatest need.
In Somalia, midwives will be a key resource in providing integrated reproductive health and protection services, the agency said.
Other plans include increasing community outreach to provide reproductive health services, as well as strengthening referral systems to ensure pregnant women with complications can access reproductive care. emergency department.
Safe space for survivors
UNFPA will expanding safe spaces, shelters, one-stop centers and hotlines so that women and girls experiencing gender-based violence have access to medical care and psychosocial support.
Health care providers will also be trained to provide integrated reproductive health and protection services, including the clinical management of rape.
Other plans related to distribution of drugs and supplies for reproductive health carefor medical facilities and hospitals, and provide basic hygiene items, including tampons, to those in need.
