MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
McMullan
The Australian Government is taking the lead on sexual and reproductive health in post-crisis situations.
As part of the Australian Government's commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), today I launched the AusAID funded $3 million 'SPRINT' program - Sexual and Reproductive Health Program in Crisis and Post-Crisis Situations in East, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
The initiative aims to reduce the incidence of preventable maternal and neonatal deaths in the Asia-Pacific region. Globally more than 500,000 women die each year as a result of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. High maternal mortality and child mortality persist in our region.
Australia is providing targeted programs for women's and children's health as part of the Government's commitment to achieve MDG targets 4) Reduce child mortality and 5) Improve maternal health by 2015.
In the past decade there has been a significant increase in the number of crises faced by countries in the Asia-Pacific region, either through natural disasters, climatic variation, political instability or civil unrest.
The Australian Government considers it essential that civil society organisations be involved in the response to humanitarian crises and the promotion of sustainable development because of their capacity to engage quickly and promote community ownership of recovery efforts.
I am please that we are to be working in partnership with the International Planned Parenthood Federation and their partners from the University of New South Wales and Australian Reproductive Health Alliance on this important SPRINT initiative.
Media Contact: Sabina Curatolo (Mr McMullan's Office) 0400 318 205
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590