For Immediate Release:	March 6, 2003
For More Information:	Veronika Martin, Refugees International, veronika@refugeesinternational.org, 202-828-0110 Michelle Brown, Refugees International, michelleb@refugeesinternational.org, 202 828 0110
Sponsor Organization:	Refugees International
“Family planning and reproductive health services are important because they help reduce the demand for abortion and because they help combat the spread of HIV/AIDS”
Refugees International told President Bush that proposed changes in international family planning and reproductive health programs “would be detrimental to the safety and health of millions of refugee women throughout the world.” In a letter sent to President Bush on March 3, 2003, Refugees International opposed an expansion of the so-called Mexico City Policy, which prevents certain United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funds from supporting foreign organizations that offer abortion counseling or services. A proposed change in the policy would expand the Mexico City restrictions to a wider range of grants made by USAID and the Department of State, including the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. The full text of the letter is available at http://www.refugeesinternational.org. /> “Family planning and reproductive health services are important because they help reduce the demand for abortion and because they help combat the spread of HIV/AIDS,” Refugees International said. “Refugee women, already extremely vulnerable, would lose access to quality health care, leading to increased rates of maternal and child mortality.” Refugees International is a Washington-based advocacy agency that generates life-saving protection for refugees and displaced people. For further information contact: Michelle Brown at 202 828 0110 or michelleb@refugeesinternational.org Veronika Martin at 202 828 0110 or veronika@refugeesinternational.org