YEMEN: UNFPA Support Will Continue
Qatar News Agency on 1 August reported on a meeting between Yemen's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Mohammed Al-Saadi and UNFPA’s Hafedh Chekir on a range of issues related to bilateral cooperation. Hafedh Chekir stressed the organizations interest in continuing support in Yemen.
UNITED STATES: UNFPA Does Not Condone Forced Abortion
USA Today on 1 August published a letter by Valerie DeFillipo, president of the Friends of UNFPA. “Your story 'Forced abortions, broken hearts' highlights the tragic stories of Chinese women made to have abortions against their will (Cover story, News, Wednesday). However, the article perpetuates the myth that the United Nations Population Fund participates, condones or endorses such gross violations of human rights. UNFPA has spoken out forcefully against coercion in all its forms, and in fact is dedicating substantial resources to promoting volunteerism and human rights in China and about 150 other countries where it works. Moreover, the story failed to acknowledge that no U.S. taxpayer funds support China's family planning program. To eliminate funding to UNFPA would only hurt women in sub-Saharan Africa, and would have no impact on helping Chinese women in these abortion cases.”
MYANMAR: Excerpt from UNFPA Rep Published
The Health Digest Journal on 1 August published an excerpt from the statement made by Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Ahad, UNFPA representative, at World Population Day celebrations in Nay Pyi Taw on 11 July.
MYANMAR: International Youth Day Seminar Organized
Weekly Eleven on 1 August reported that in commemoration of International Youth Day, invitations have been sent out for paper reading at the seminar jointly organized by the Youth Development Programme of Myanmar Medical Association and UNFPA. The seminar is on 13 August at the Chatrium Hotel.
YEMEN: UNFPA Fills RH Budget Deficit $200 Thousand
Althawra and Al-Islah on 1 August reported on the meeting between UNFPA’s Arab States Regional Office Director Hafedh Chekir and the Minister of Public health and Population (MOPHP) Mr. Ahmed AL-Ansi. The Minister thanked UNFPA for its support in overcoming the obstacles they are facing. The UNFPA regional director showed UNFPA's willingness to support the Ministry’s budget deficit in the 2011-2012 Reproductive Health National Strategy with 200 thousand U.S. dollars. Read in Arabic: Althawra and Al-Islah
http://www.althawra.net/portal/news-19045.htm
http://www.al-islah.net/details.aspx?pagename=gen&pageid=17493
BENIN: Results from AIDS Conference
La Nation and Aube Nouvelle reported in the first week of August that from 22 to 27 July, Madam Diene Keita, Representative of UNFPA in Benin and Beninese Minister for Health professor Dorothé Kinde Gazard participated in the international conference on the HIV/AIDS in Washington. Upon their return, they held a press conference to brief the media on the meeting.