Finland grants UDS 2.23m for health sector in Somalia

Finland has provided 2.23 million U.S. dollars to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Somalia to improve the well-being of Somalis particularly women, girls and young people.

The deal, which was inked in Mogadishu on Monday is part of a broader arrangement under which Finland will co-finance UNFPA's new Country Programme for Somalia with an additional 9 million dollars during the period 2017-2020.

The UNFPA Representative, Nikolai Botev, said the funding from Finland is fundamental in contributing to Somalia's social and human development, particularly in the National Development Plan areas of health, youth, gender and resilience capacity building.

The Ambassador of Finland to Somalia Tarja Fernández said sexual and reproductive health and rights are a priority in Finland's development cooperation.

"Fragile environment and lack of services affect severely the most vulnerable groups of the society. Often women and girls are particularly at risk. UNFPA's important work in this regard matches the key interest of Finland to support Somalia's efforts to improve the rights of women and girls," said Fernández.