Sweden provides nearly €11 million in support to the women and girls in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. This support is intended to strengthen the two countries’ efforts to meet the humanitarian needs of women and girls and promote their opportunities and rights in both the short term and the long term. The support will be channeled through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women, IPN reports, quoting the Government of Sweden.

Minister of Health Ala Nemerenco said that in the Republic of Moldova, the majority of beneficiaries of health services among refugees from Ukraine are women and girls. “Over the course of a year, the health system ensured their access to reproductive health services, surgical interventions, dialysis sessions, medicines. The health professionals in the country assisted 219 Ukrainian women in giving birth. The healthcare assistance provided to the refugees was entirely free, and a part of the costs were covered by international partners, on whose support we continue to count,” stated Ala Nemerenco.

The earmarked funds can be used for life-saving assistance through additional mobile health clinics, equipment to prevent maternal and infant mortality, and protection and support for victims of conflict-related sexual violence.

The support aims to meet the humanitarian needs of women and girls, promote their opportunities and rights, particularly sexual and reproductive health and rights, and combat sexual and gender-based violence.

In Moldova, the support will assist internally displaced women and girls. A total of almost €9 million will go to Ukraine and Moldova through UNFPA, while about €2 million will go to Ukraine through UN Women.