For Immediate Release:	September 15, 2006
For More Information:	Deni Robey, Americans for UNFPA, 646-526-5321
Sponsor Organization:	Americans for UNFPA
Programs to prevent maternal mortality, family planning, HIV prevention denied
New York, NY – For the fifth year in a row, the Bush Administration today announced its decision to withhold the $34 million appropriated by Congress to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. This makes $161 million denied to proven programs that reduce maternal mortality, provide millions of women with family planning and prevent the spread of HIV. UNFPA is the world's largest source of assistance for programs supporting the health and rights of women. The President's decision to withhold the appropriated funds undermines the United States' role as a moral and political leader on issues of global concern. The United States is currently the only country that refuses to fund UNFPA for non-budgetary reasons. "In 2006 we've seen Americans philanthropists expand their support for programs that advance the health and rights of women, while the U.S. government continues to sacrifice women's lives to political interests," said Anika Rahman, President of Americans for UNFPA. “It is a sad commentary on our government's priorities when private American citizens give more money to global women's health than the President and Congress,” continued Rahman. The Bush Administration penalizes UNFPA for its work in China, rather than celebrating UNFPA’s success in the country (in counties where UNFPA operates) which includes: Increased knowledge of modern contraception (to 90%) An increase I gynecological visits to women (aged 25-39) to 68% A 15% decline in surgical contraception A drop in deliveries at home to 19% The $25 to $34 million appropriated by Congress to UNFPA each year could prevent as many as 27,000 maternal deaths or provide enough contraception to allow 12 million women to delay their first or next pregnancy. ### Americans for UNFPA is a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to raising moral, political and financial support for UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, in the United States. http://www.AmericansforUNFPA.org.