'South Asia, Africa show poor progress towards MDGs'

Maternal deaths have halved and child deaths have decreased significantly between 1990 and 2010. But countries in South Asia and Africa have shown poor progress in saving their mothers and new born children, says a report put together by WHO, UNICEF and academics. 

Jarring note

The us administration's move to withhold a tranche of us $34 million meant for the United Nations Population Fund (unfpa) may be music to the ears of the right wing anti-abortion activists. But it is not in tune with the country's own stated stand.

UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will provide an assistance of US $ 4.4 crore for phasing out the use of 137 tonne of cholorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The ministry of environment and forests and the UNDP have recently signed an agreement in this regard. Under the 1987 Montreal Protocol, the UNDP assists governments in identifying and implementating projects.

UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations Funds for Population Activities (UNFPA) is in the process of designing and implementing a comprehensive population programme for India. They will allocate US $100 million for the project. UNFPA's decision to invest in reproductive health complements the governments efforts to operationalise the Reproductive and Child Health approach which has been initiated to replace the earlier target-oriented family welfare programme.

Lifting the barriers

THE United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) report on the global populace was released by Wasim Zaman, representative of the UNFPA in India, in New Delhi on May 28. The State of World Population 1997 focuses on the reproductive rights and reproductive health of every man and woman. While the report discusses issues like components

Blinded by figures

AFTER years of trying to make family planning enthusiasts understand that population control is not merely condoms, pills and other birth control devices, next year's international conference on population in Cairo nevertheless looks like it will be dominated by, well, condoms, pills and other birth control devices.

UNFPA to bow out

THE UNITED Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) may quit China, the most populous country in the world, following indications that China is planning a harsh family planning drive in the countryside. But UNFPA executive director Nafis Sadik hopes Beijing will itself take the initiative and announce the end of the fund's programme in China.