The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) provides assistance to developing and transitioning countries, including the latest country in the Bush administration's spotlight, Afghanistan. However, President Bush has halted funds to UNFPA under the guise that its international family planning programs may be funding and/or advocating abortion procedures. The administration specifically accused UNFPA of supporting forced abortions and sterilizations in China. These accusations have been proven false by reputable human rights organizations and studies show that successful family planning programs actually prevent abortions through their education on reproductive health, including safe birth control methods.

The President's freeze on funds is rumored to be based on one letter from anti-choice Congressional Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ). Despite the facts that Congress voted to support $34 million to UNFPA in December 2001 and that Secretary of State Colin Powell continually supports UNFPA, President Bush declared on a freeze on US funds in mid-January 2002. Before then, Bush had mentioned no plans to remove funding and had even included $25 million to UNFPA in his 2002 budget. These funds were going to countries to supply information and services such as HIV prevention, maternal care, emergency disaster relief, distribution of contraceptives, and the empowerment and education of women. Specifically in Afghanistan, UNFPA is currently working in areas such as prevention and management of sexual violence, protection of mothers' and infants' health, family planning services, and teaching courses on literacy and income-generation skills for women. By freezing UNFPA funds now and by not including any UNFPA funding in his 2003 budget, President Bush is asserting that he does not support these necessary means of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and other countries that are in need of safe healthcare services and education.

Your voice needs to be heard! Please urge the Bush administration to reinstate US funds of $34 million to the United Nations Population Fund. It only takes a few minutes to call the White House at (202) 456-1414 and leave a comment. Click here for talking points or here for a sample letter. As members of the Christian community, it is especially important that our voices be heard to support a program of the United Nations that helps empower women through education and save the lives of people who are in desperate need of safe healthcare services.


Talking Points to call the White House
Sample Letter to Fax or Email
Frequently Asked Questions about UNFPA