President George W. Bush

The White House

 

Dear Mr. President:

 

I thoroughly support the argument that the Bush administration quickly discharge Congress' appropriation of $34 million dollars for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). To do otherwise would be a betrayal to millions of women, putting their lives and the lives of their children at risk. 

 

The loss of U.S. funding would have a severe impact on UNFPA's program and the developing countries it serves, including large numbers of refugee women and adolescents. A relatively small figure on an international scale, $34 million dollars for family planning would be enough to prevent two million unwanted pregnancies; nearly 800,000 induced abortions; 4,700 maternal deaths; nearly 60,000 cases of serious maternal illness and over 77,000 infant and child deaths.

 

In Afghanistan, which has the second highest maternal mortality rate in the world (for every 1,000 live births, 17 mothers die) education platforms for women offering important information on reproductive health and gynecological care could be spurred on by the UNFPA. Already, Dr. Suhaila Seddiqi, Minister of Public Health, and one of two women serving in Afghanistan's interim government, has asked the UNFPA to help coordinate efforts to improve the health of women. But, without funding another opportunity to improve the lives of Afghan women will pass.

 

With this in mind, the Administration must make good on Congress' commitment.

 

Mary Diaz

Executive Director

The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children

New York, NY 10168

212-551-3089