Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Accepted in Part
Ensure FCDO meets UNFPA Supplies Partnership funding commitment and restore UNFPA core funding
Recommendation
The Committee is pleased to see the FCDO’s continuing commitment to family planning as a core part of its work on sexual and reproductive health, including the provision of safe and legal abortion services. However, the FCDO’s abrupt and sudden cuts to SRHR programmes directly led to the reduction in vital services for women and girls and damaged the UK’s work and reputation in this area. As part of its renewed commitment to SRHR programmes, the FCDO should ensure that it meets its original funding commitment made in November 2019 to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership to enable the delivery of vital healthcare services for women and girls. It should also consider restoring core funding to the UNFPA to £20 million annually. (Paragraph 27) The FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive health 41
Government Response Summary
The FCDO partially agrees, stating it has returned funding to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership to 2019 levels (£60m in 2022 and 2023). However, it is unable to restore core funding to the UNFPA to pre-Covid-19 levels, though it is increasing support by £4.25m for humanitarian efforts.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Partially Agree 19. The UK is proud to defend and promote universal and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights, including abortion, which is fundamental to unlocking the potential, agency and freedom of women and girls worldwide. 20. The FCDO contributed £60m to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership in 2022 and 2023, representing a return to the original annual funding levels of 2019. As the largest donor to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, the Government’s funding supports the procurement of essential SRH commodities in the 54 countries most in need of support as well as contributing to systems strengthening efforts at country level to improve access. 21. The FCDO remains committed to UNFPA’s mandate and we continue to support UNFPA with core funding of £8m per year. Whilst the FCDO is unable to return our core funding to pre Covid-19 levels, we are increasing our support to UNFPA in 2024 by £4.25m to support humanitarian efforts in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.