After suspending American funding for external aid, international fears of increasing maternal and newborn deaths

At the press conference of the United Nations agencies in Geneva, Pio Smith, the regional director of Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Population Fund, said: “What happens when our work is not funded? Women give birth alone in unhealthy conditions. The risk of birth fistula increases, and newborns die for preventive reasons; and the survivors of gender -based violence do not find a place to obtain medical or psychological support “.

He explained that the messages they received from the American administration are similar to those received by other United Nations agencies.

He added that they are trying to find more clarity from the United States government, expressing his hope to obtain more details in particular about the reason for the fund’s programs affected. Especially those that we hope are exempt according to human principles. “.

He gave an example of what might happen in Afghanistan, saying that: Between 2025 and 2028, we appreciate that the absence of American support will lead to 1,200 additional deaths between mothers and 109,000 additional unintended pregnancy cases. “.

He expressed his hope that the United States government will retain its position as a global leader in the field of development and to continue working with the United Nations Population Fund to alleviate the suffering of women and their families as a result of the disasters they did not cause.

“Insults will not save lives.”

In turn, Yans Larkhe, a spokesman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said they are in close contact with all their offices all over the world, which in turn is in close contact with the American embassies in their countries, in an effort to clarify more clear about what American decisions mean.

He added that about 47 percent of the global humanitarian call was funded throughout the world last year, 47 percent of them through the United States government; “This gives you an indication of the importance of this when we are in the situation we are now, with the messages we receive from the American government.”.

The UN official said: “Public insults will not save any lives”.

As for Alessandra Vilucci, director of the United Nations Information Department in Geneva, she said that they are looking forward to continuing to work together and listen also if there is constructive criticism and points that need to be reviewed, adding that “The Secretary -General said in his previous statement that we want to work on this matter and continue this trust relationship.”.