UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund today handed over an ambulance, donated by the People of Japan, to the Ministry of Health in Somaliland as part of collaborative efforts to support programmes aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and related morbidity among Somali women and newborns. The Government of Japan supports health-strengthening systems for Somali people through UNFPA.  

The UNFPA Representative, Mr. Nikolai Botev, thanked the Japanese Government for being a reliable partner in the quest to ensure that no woman or child dies during birth.   

Mr. Botev called on the Government of Somaliland to continue prioritising strengthening health systems stating that combined efforts should bear fruits in saving the lives of Somali mothers and newborns especially at this time when the current drought is posing more challenges to many and especially pregnant women.  

“The challenges in transporting pregnant women to district or central hospitals in emergency cases have contributed to high maternal deaths as well as fistula cases in many instances and the donation of the ambulance today is therefore very timely,” said the UNFPA Representative for Somalia. 

Mr. Botev reiterated UNFPA’s commitment to support the investments in a safer and brighter future for the Somali mothers and children and pledged to continue supporting programmes, which can yield enormous dividends for sustainable development. 

Somaliland State Minister in the Ministry of Health His Excellency Mohamoud Adan Jama expressed Somaliland’s gratitude to the People of Japan and UNFPA for the donation. He called upon the Government of Japan and UNFPA to expand the assistance and partnership to benefit more Somali people.