Mozambique - Comment on UNFPA Country Program

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000586 SIPDIS SIPDIS AF/S FOR HTREGER AND JMALONEY MCC FOR SGAULL USAID FOR AA/AFR AND AFR/SA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF EAID SOCI MZ SUBJECT: Mozambique - Comment on UNFPA Country Program Ref: State 77956 ¶1. Per reftel, we offer below comments on UNFPA's Country Program in Mozambique. Comments on Program Content -------------- ¶2. The content of UNFPA program in Mozambique is appropriate, and takes in consideration the dynamics of the country. We are most familiar with activities related to Reproductive Health and Youth, and also to certain extent the ones related to Instituto Nacional de Estatistica (INE), specifically on support to Census. UNFPA-funded activities, in collaboration with other donors and the efforts of the Government of Mozambique (GRM),have had an impact on reducing infant, child and maternal mortality rates, and a significant increase in contraceptive prevalence rate. UNFPA has been a leader in promoting programs to reduce maternal mortality, and in promoting programs targeting adolescent girls, focusing on girls' status and empowerment and HIV prevention, including abstinence. Areas where UNFPA could play a more prominent role -------------- -------------- ¶3. Assist the Ministry of Health (MOH) to operationalize its community participation policy to ensure that communities play a more significant role in increasing access to health services, especially access to family planning services, and promoting healthier behaviors, especially related to maternal and reproductive health, and HIV/AIDS; and, ¶4. Given the increased amount of resources available to the MOH through the sector-wide approach (SWA) Common Fund, take the lead in "re-defining" the role played by UNFPA and the other UN agencies to focus on providing technical assistance and influencing the policy making process and implementation of key program activities related to malaria, HIV/AIDS, and reproductive health among others; and, ¶5. In collaboration with USAID, and other partners, play a more prominent role in advocating for Family Planning and Contraceptive Security, in Mozambique. Collaboration with USAID and other donors -------------- ¶6. The UNFPA Reproductive Health program is implemented in close collaboration with USAID, UNICEF, and WHO. Staffers from the different agencies serve on the Reproductive Health Technical Working Group of the Ministry of Health. The activities from all agencies are reflected in the MOH annual operational plan. ¶7. Collaboration between the USG and UNFPA has been excellent in the areas of Reproductive Health, Contraceptive procurement and youth services. UNFPA and USAID procure all the contraceptives for MOH. ¶8. UNFPA plays also a key role in donor coordination and has been a very active member of the Health SWA. Collaboration has included joint planning in areas like Reproductive Health, Youth and Family Planning. ¶9. At the provincial level, UNFPA and USAID funded-programs have coordinated closely in order to reduce duplication and increase coverage and access to health services. ¶10. UNFPA has been a key partner to INE in its effort to prepare the 2007 Census, and they maintain a close collaboration with other donors providing technical assistance, like USAID. Comment -------------- ¶11. We appreciate the outstanding leadership provided by the UNFPA Representative in Maputo, Mozambique, and value her active participation in the Health SWA. We appreciate this opportunity to comment on the UNFPA program in Mozambique. La Lime