Khartoum 21 February 2018- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of International Cooperation (MIC), signed The Country Program Action Plan (2018- 2021) with a total budget of 40 Million US dollars.  

The programme is aligned with the UNDAF & SDGs mainly SDG 3 & 5 (health and gender). It has 4 interrelated goals: Sexual and Reproductive health/Reproductive Rights; with an increased focus on Family Planning, in addition to HIV prevention; prevention and response to Gender-based violence and; availing data for development.

It adopts the humanitarian-development & peace nexus, as a key strategy, to ensure humanitarian assistance is delivered in the context of resilience and broader development approach.

The signing ceremony, was chaired by H.E. Idris Suleiman, Minister of MIC, and attended by the State Ministers of MIC along with senior staff from MIC, UNFPA and the media.

H.E. Mr. Suleiman expressed appreciation for the strategic partnership existing with UNFPA over the past years, commending the instrumental contribution of UNFPA to national priorities in maternal health, population and gender issues in the Country.

Addressing the press conference, following the signing ceremony, Ms. Lina Mousa, the Representative of UNFPA in Sudan, reiterated the commitment of UNFPA to work closely with the Ministry of International Cooperation, as the lead coordinating body; and  Ministry of Health; Ministry of Security and Social Development/National Population Council; Ministry of Youth; Ministry of Endowment and Guidance along with national and international NGOs. Local communities and the academia.     Ms. Lina added, “We want to reach the most needy first, but leave no one behind”.

Dr. Sumaya Okud, the State Minister/MIC at the press conference stated, “The program responds to national priorities of the health sector which represents over 70% of the programme, which is designed to bridge the gap of maternal mortality and improving the reproductive health services in Sudan. She added, “The program also will continue to contribute to gender equality, with a focus on addressing GBV prevention & protection interventions, under the leadership of the Ministry of Security and Social Development, highlighting the role the National Population Council as a key technical body for Population & Development.