Regional chief meets UNFPA, KOICA representatives

Addis Ababa, November 16, 2022 (FBC) – The Southern Ethiopia Peoples’ Region chief, Ristu Yirdaw, met with representatives from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Ethiopia) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

In their discussions, they advised on issues that can improve the lives of women and children.

Susan Mandong, representative of the United Nations Population Fund for Ethiopia, said that they are interested in working together on family planning services, prevention of gender-based violence, and other related issues in Gedeo zone Dilla area, Gedeb and Yirga Cheffie woredas.

She stated that family planning services should be made accessible as there is a high population density in the areas they visited in the Gedeo zone.

Besides to the humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia, efforts to improve the health of mothers and children will be carried out in cooperation, the UNFPA Official affirmed.

The Ethiopian representative of Korea International Cooperation Agency, on her part, appreciated the efforts that Ethiopia is making to increase the benefit of society through sustainable development goals.

She said that it is important to assist the efforts to prevent harmful traditional practices against women and children in the Southern Ethiopia Peoples’ Region.

The representative said that the use of family planning services should be enhanced.

She explained that KOICA will support the region to prevent early marriage, abduction and related activities that challenge the lives of women.

Ristu Yirdaw said that the Ethiopian government is expanding health facilities, building the capacity of health professionals and carrying out related activities to improve the health access of the society.

He thanked the two organizations for their efforts to support the society through carrying out field observations to solve the problems facing women and children in the Gedeo zone of the region.

According to the Region’s government communication service, the regional chief revealed that there are other places in the region with similar challenges, indicating that those areas also need assistance.