USAID AND UNFPA SUPPORT NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001098 SIPDIS AIDAC USAID FOR AA/AFR, AFR/EA, AF/SD, GH/RCS AND GH/PRH STATE FOR AF/C AND PRM USAID EAST AFRICA FOR EA/RHH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD ECON PGOV PREL CG SUBJECT: USAID AND UNFPA SUPPORT NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE REPOSITIONING OF FAMILY PLANNING IN THE DRC ¶1. Summary: USAID has helped to pave the way for the repositioning of Family Planning (FP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),thus creating an opportunity for increased support to capitalize on the present momentum to expand the FP activities in the DRC. A December 8-9 National Conference to Reposition Family Planning was successful in mobilizing stakeholders in support of this important objective. Actions taken during 2009 respond to USAID/ Washington's call for renewed efforts to reposition FP in sub-Saharan Africa. End Summary. ¶2. A National Conference to Reposition Family Planning was organized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kinshasa on December 8-9, engaging key stakeholders to launch a recommitment to family planning efforts in the DRC. The conference was the result of six months of collaborative discussions led by USAID along with the National Reproductive Health Program of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender, Family and Children, Ministry of Plan, UNFPA and other key stakeholders, experts, cooperating agencies, civil society organizations, and donor agencies. Over 150 key participants, including government officials and dignitaries from all 11 provinces, participated, drawing widespread media attention. ¶3. The First Lady of the DRC, Madame Olive Lembe Kabila, officially opened the conference. The U.S. Ambassador, Mr. William J. Garvelink, the DRC Minister of Health, the Minister of Gender, Family and Children, the Minister of Planning, the Director of the National Reproductive Health Program, representative of the Governor of Kinshasa, and the United Nations Population Fund DRC Country Representative, Dr. Richard Dackam-Ngatchou, and Prof. Alois Nguma Monganza of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa all strongly advocated for repositioning FP in the DRC. ¶4. The conference, a first step toward a long-term collaborative plan of enhanced actions to reinvigorate family planning with improved service delivery and increased financial assistance, closed with strong pledges of engagement by, and a joint signing ceremony with, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender, Family and Children, Ministry of Plan and UNFPA, UNICEF and the World Health Organization. Mme. Olive Lembe Kabila presided and reaffirmed the country's need for family planning and for couples to use it. ¶5. During the first day of the conference, technical experts presented salient information on the current situation in the DRC, the critical need for family planning services, and strategies for improving the delivery of family planning services in the country. The second day, conducted largely through work groups, developed recommendations and a plan of action to implement the program. ¶6. Considerable media attention focused on the conference. Such public attention is greatly needed in the DRC. Family planning needs are among the most critical. Reproductive and child health indicators have deteriorated alarmingly over the last two decades. The 2007 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) documented that 27% of women in union (about 10 million) either want to space their next birth or have no more births. However, only 7% use a modern method compared to 16% in 1990. Maternal mortality is estimated at 549 per 100,000 live births. One out of 29 women dies of birthing related causes. Infant mortality is estimated at 92/1,000 in the first year and 148 for those under five. Qand 148 for those under five. ¶7. The United Nations estimates that the population of DRC may increase from 65 million to 300 million by 2050 if the current total fertility rate (TFR) of 6.7 continues unchanged. By contrast, a linear decrease of the TFR to 2.5 by 2050 would result in a total population of 160 million by 2050. Achieving a 2.5 TRF by 2050 will require a significant, widespread effort. ¶8. The three main resolutions adopted during the conference are: 1) Reestablishment and revitalization of the FP technical steering committee is essential as a permanent, standing, inter-governmental and civil society entity responsible for FP/RH and population advocacy, monitoring and awareness raising. This will be a centerpiece of national efforts to bring cohesion, continuity and coordination to heretofore largely scattered and frequently uneven efforts to expand FP/RH programs and services. Assistance from donor agencies' will be vital to ensure the effectiveness of this committee as government agencies attempt to allocate increased resources to FP/RH programs. 2) Development of a coordinated cross-sectoral strategy and plan for expanded, integrated FP/RH programs, as well as renewed population policies and programs that will factor in demographic growth projections, estimates of FP/RH commodities over the coming years, and mechanisms for integrating health, educational, housing, food and nutrition and employment needs into the highest levels of governmental planning and budgeting processes. 3) Development of a coordinated and cross-sectoral plan and program to communicate, promote and publicize use of FP/RH services by couples of reproductive age through behavioral change communication, community mobilization, expanded and improved FP/RH services at village level, health centers, clinics, hospitals and private health care facilities, local and national media communications, faith-based organizations and educational systems. ¶9. In addition to reaching consensus on these resolutions, major decision makers are now fully engaged and understand the direct links between Family Planning and long-term development for the DRC. Furthermore, the conference laid essential advocacy groundwork by empowering key persons and personalites to speak comfortably and effectively in public about the importance of family planning. ¶10. Appropriate financial resources are needed to capitalize on the political will, momentum and platform created by this conference. Mr. William J. Garvelink, U.S. Ambassador to the DRC, has opened dialogue with other ambassadors in Kinshasa to increase their country's financial commitments to Family Planning. Mr. Stephen Haykin, USAID Mission Director, who is advocating among his counterparts, provided an emphatic closing speech on the multi-sectoral significance of family planning and reproductive health, including linkages with economic development, the role of women and the environment. ¶11. Comment: The First Lady's active leadership is historic and her statements in support of FP could not have been stronger. The Conference was a successful effort targeting three sets of actors who need henceforth to work in much greater concert: government decision makers and influential stakeholders; international donors; and the general population. USAID will continue to mobilize in such ways but also looks to Washington to provide support to the DRC through the new Global Health Initiative and to lend its weight to the task of influencing others at their headquarters level such as the World Bank. The way has been significantly cleared now in the Democratic Republic of Congo to apply increased FP resources with likely increasingly successful results. GARVELINK