PAKISTAN: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON FLOODS AND RESPONSE
The News International reported on 2 September and Xinhua (China) reported on 1 September that WHO estimates that over half a million flood- affected women in Pakistan are expected to give birth in the coming six months. One month after the gradual onset of the devastating floods, reproductive health remains a significant concern across Pakistan' s flooded areas," UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said at a daily news briefing. After conducting assessments of maternal, neonatal and child health, UNFPA has established labour rooms in selected areas, Mr. Nesirky told reporters. UNFPA teams have assisted in approximately 5,600 safe deliveries so far, Mr. Nesirky said. Read: The News International and Xinhua
DPA reported on 1 September that Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Wednesday that his country has suffered losses of around $43 billion due to the floods that have displaced over 17 million people and killed over 1,600. After conducting assessments on maternal, neonatal, and child health, UNFPA has established at least 36 labour rooms at selected service delivery points, comprising 23 mobile service units and 13 existing government health facilities. Read: DPA
IPS reported on 1 September that aid groups and U.N. agencies are warning that pregnant women and babies are in grave danger in flood-ravaged Pakistan. Paul Garwood, communications officer for WHO's Health Action in Crises program, said that UNFPA has been particularly active in providing reproductive health care in the relief efforts thus far. The U.N. humanitarian office says that UNFPA has assisted in the safe delivery of an estimated 5,600 babies since the floods began and has helped to establish 36 mobile and fixed health clinics that are equipped to handle childbirth and emergency obstetric care.
UN News Centre reported on 31 August that United Nations officials urged the international community to boost their support for Pakistan’s flood victims, especially for the health and well-being of women and children who make up 70 per cent of the nearly 18 million people affected by the disaster. UNFPA has set up labour rooms at a number of service delivery points in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh, which provide emergency reproductive health services and emergency obstetric care.The agency has assisted in some 5,600 safe deliveries since the waters started to ravage the country. At the same time, it stressed that additional support is urgently required to scale up life-saving health activities in affected areas. "UNFPA has reported challenges in recruiting adequate numbers of female health care providers, especially gynaecologists, in flood-affected areas," said Naseer Nizamani, Assistant Representative of UNFPA in Pakistan. Read: UN News Centre
KENYA: High Birth Rate Dims Long-Term Growth Prospects
Business Daily reported on 1 September that the challenge facing Kenya in providing physical and social infrastructure became clear with the release of the 2009 Census results showing that the country’s population is growing at a pace out of tune with its development goals. Kenya is facing the grim reality of feeding an additional one million mouths every year – translating to a population growth rate of 2.8 per cent, more than the global average of 2.1 per cent and requiring the economy to grow at the rate of more than 12 per cent to remain in step with its development targets. “Population growth is usually a positive indicator if managed well but an annual growth rate of more than two per cent poses immediate threat to government’s efforts to reduce poverty,” said Mr Zama Chi, the UNFPA’s Programme Officer in charge of the African Division. Read: Business Daily
KENYA: Anger As Census Results Cancelled
The Nairobi Star reported on 1 September that fury greeted the census results yesterday with some MPs and ministers threatening to go to court over the cancellation of figures for eight remote districts. Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya fixed Kenya's population at 38,610,097. He annulled figures from eight districts because of "inconsistencies" and said the count will be repeated in those areas. While the annulled results were among a number of outstanding issues remaining before the finalized count, the United Nations, represented by UNFPA country director Fidelis Zama Chi, said the entire exercise was satisfactory and commended the country for releasing the results within one year. Read: The Nairobi Star
INDIA: Indian State Tries To Save Girls
BBC (U.K.) reported on 1 September on efforts to avert sex-selective abortions in India. UNFPA claims that between 2001 and 2007, pre-natal sex selection resulted in the disappearance of 1,600 girls across India every day. Read: BBC