South Korea, UNFPA to transform women healthcare in Somalia

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have partnered to enhance women and girls’ healthcare in Somalia.’

The two agencies on Tuesday unveiled a ground-breaking initiative dubbed "Programme to Provide Lifesaving and Integrated SRH and GBV Services in Humanitarian Settings in the Africa Region" which will form the cornerstone for improving healthcare for women and girls in the country.

The initiative has been termed as a significant step in addressing healthcare disparities in one of the world's most vulnerable regions.

According to UNFPA Representative to Somalia, Dr. Mary Otieno, the project is important because it aims to transform the lives of at least 540,000 persons across Somalia.

She also emphasized on the initiative’s critical role in building healthier communities.

"Access to health services is not just a right; it’s a lifeline," Otieno said.

KOICA’s Kenya office Director, Jang Hee Im highlighted the initiative's broader impact on KOICA's ongoing efforts across Africa, including vital ongoing projects in Mali, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

He insisted that the initiative lays ground for long-term change on the African continent.

"This initiative not only addresses immediate health needs but also lays the groundwork for long-term change across Africa," Hee stated.

He further reaffirmed South Korea's commitment to empowering vulnerable communities continent-wide.

The project will run over the next four years, from 2024 – 2027.

Through the initiative, the two organizations will help grow the availability and quality of essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) services in the country.

It aligns with global objectives aimed at eradicating the unmet need for family planning, preventing maternal deaths and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.

It will focus on women and girls in humanitarian settings, especially those in areas of protracted crisis.

It seeks to enhance their well-being through increased access to vital health services with the aim to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in crisis-affected areas and control unwanted pregnancies.