You have saved lives.

After we sounded the alarm on the emerging crisis in Somalia, supporters like you stepped up to deliver lifesaving care to women and girls impacted by record breaking droughts.

Somalia and the Horn of Africa are plunging toward a dire hunger emergency amidst the extreme drought, and a lack of funding threatened critical cuts to aid, care, and resources.

But thanks to support, we’re expanding our reach in Somalia:

• UNFPA-supported health facilities are supporting displaced pregnant women with childbirth care and counseling
• More than 68,000 women and girls have received sexual or reproductive health services from UNFPA-supported services
• 1,200 dignity kits and 400 menstrual hygiene kits have been distributed to women and girls
• UNFPA launched a national strategy for the elimination of the devastating childbirth injury, obstetric fistula, in Somalia

Make no mistake: our work is not over. Needs are rising as Somalia’s longest drought on record plunges the country toward famine. To reach all 380,983 pregnant women in the region and the millions more women and girls who have been displaced, we need to continue meeting our funding goals and delivering care where it’s needed most.

But I want to thank you for making a difference in the lives of women and girls living through drought, famine, warfare, and humanitarian crisis in Somalia and around the world.

Thank you for not looking away and for always being there for women and girls.

Sincerely,

Anu Surendran
Chief Executive Officer
USA for UNFPA