March 12, 2002

George W. Bush, President of the United States

Via Facsimile:  202-456-2461

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), we are writing to urge you to fully fund the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the amount of $34 million - the sum appropriated for fiscal year (FY) 2002, in a bill which was passed by the House of Representatives on a vote of 357 to 66 and by the Senate by unanimous consent and signed into law on January 10, 2002.  The United States needs to continue its support for UNFPA's vital efforts to save women's lives around the world, and particularly its current efforts to provide life saving care for women in Afghanistan.  

Your administration has repeatedly highlighted the importance of UNFPA's work on behalf of women's reproductive health worldwide.  The U.S. government, as part of its efforts to improve the dire health conditions of Afghan women, pledged in October 2001 an additional $600,000 to UNFPA to address the reproductive health care needs of Afghan refugees in surrounding nations and of the internally displaced within Afghanistan.  We simply ask you to continue this support.

The termination of U.S. funding of UNFPA would greatly draw back the U.S. from its international commitments, injuring many women and couples throughout the world.  As you are aware, the current state of reproductive health of Afghan women is deplorable.  It is imperative that UNFPA be able to maintain its efforts to save women's lives throughout the world, and especially its efforts to help women in Afghanistan. 

As Parliamentarians from around the world, we urge you to provide the full $34 million in funding that your own Congress has appropriated for UNFPA. 

Sincerely,

Kenneth Dzirasah

President

PGA