November 7, 2024
The results are in, and Donald Trump has been elected as the next president of the United States.
Today, the U.S. government provides UNFPA, the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Agency, with historic levels of funding. As one of the largest supporters of global sexual and reproductive health care, the United States is essential to delivering critical services in some of the world’s most challenging humanitarian settings, including Haiti, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Bangladesh. Without this support, millions of women and girls who are already facing severe hardship would be placed at even greater risk.
We are deeply concerned that history may repeat itself. Soon after taking office in 2017, President Trump defunded UNFPA, cutting off access to lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services worldwide.
Today, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, providing vital health services to some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Here are just a few of the programs that rely on U.S. funding and would face significant setbacks if support is withdrawn:
– 13 mother and child health centers in Afghanistan. These centers are the only places where women can access primary care and reproductive health services in their region.
– Health centers, mobile clinics, and safe spaces in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, home to 1 million Rohingya refugees. These services support tens of thousands of people each month in the world’s largest refugee camp.
– Maternity wards across Yemen. Even now, Yemen is one of the world’s most dangerous places to be a mother, with one woman dying every two hours from pregnancy and childbirth complications. UNFPA is the only provider of sexual and reproductive health services in the country.
It is difficult to imagine these lifesaving programs and others at risk. However, with the support of passionate donors and advocates, we remain committed to standing with women and girls—just as we did during President Trump’s first term when UNFPA was defunded.
We sincerely hope President Trump will uphold the United States’ current commitment to women’s health and rights worldwide. Regardless of the outcome, we are steadfast in our mission to ensure every woman and girl has access to the essential care she needs to make decisions about her body, family, and future.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to women and girls. Together, we will continue to champion reproductive health and rights at this pivotal moment.