“Whether women live or die in a crisis often depends on whether they can get basic sexual and reproductive health services, which too often take a back seat to other urgent needs, like food and shelter. Women and especially adolescent girls are among the most vulnerable and exposed to risks including unintended pregnancies, STIs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and Sexual & Gender Based Violence. With the financial support of the Government of Japan we are continuing to provide life-saving sexual and reproductive health services to women and girls to build their resilience” says Daniel Alemu, UNFPA Deputy Representative

UNFPA, the reproductive health and rights agency with financial support from the Government of Japan handed over an ambulance to support Burundian refugee women and adolescents to build their resilience through life-saving sexual and reproductive health care, including HIV and GBV prevention and management services in Mahama camp.

Women and especially adolescent girls are among the most vulnerable and exposed to risks including       unintended pregnancies, STIs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and Sexual & Gender Based Violence (SGBV).  UNFPA prioritizes provision of basic SRH services and advocates partners to give same attention like    other urgent needs such as food and shelter.

The Japan funded project aims at increasing capacity of health facility and youth friendly services to deliver   quality maternal health and SRH/GBV/HIV/AIDS services including referral system, create demand for   maternal health, sexual and reproductive health services including HIV/AIDS and GBV prevention and   response, and strengthen Burundian refugees’ women, adolescents and young people to access economic     opportunities.

“The Government of Japan has been continuously supporting Burundian refugees in Rwanda in different areas through several partners. We are grateful to UNFPA Rwanda and its partners for the daily efforts to uplift dignity and save lives of the most vulnerable women, adolescents and youth. We hope the refugees in this camp and the host community will benefit from this” His Excellency Mr. Takayuki Miyashita, Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda said.

The ambulance is part of the many humanitarian response activities that UNFPA will undertake as part of the Government of Japan contribution of USD 300,000 to UNFPA Rwanda to ensure continuity of the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) needs of Burundian refugee women, adolescents and youth in Mahama Camp.

“The ambulance will support referral system for complicated obstetrical and SGBV cases. We have no doubt that joint efforts will greatly contribute to alleviating the suffering of women and girls in need of reproductive health and gender based-violence services to meet fundamental human rights” says Bernard Ochieng, American Refugee Committee Country Director