UNFPA calls for support to Syrian women

The international community "should urgently increase" efforts to provide aid to refugees fleeing the ongoing crisis in Syria, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has said.

Following official visits to the Nizip camp in Turkey and the Za'atari camp in Jordan, undertaken by UNFPA executive director Dr Babatunde Osotimehin last week, the organisation's statement draws attention to refugee women whose reproductive health needs must be addressed.

Of the 120,000 refugees inhabiting Za'atari camp, an estimated 3,000 are pregnant women. UNFPA has established clinics in the camp to provide antenatal, delivery and postnatal care to women, with Dr Osotimehin pointing out that "these demographics define our work".

UNFPA's attempts to address the needs of refugees in Jordan include the deployment of three mobile healthcare teams and the provision of nine clinics to camps and other communities.

Calling on the international community for funds to continue the organisation's activities, Dr Osotimehin said that "moving forward, we will need to expand our services and mobilise resources to protect women and girls and to provide for their needs"