Question: What is your reaction to Wednesday’s House Foreign Affairs Committee vote to pass a bill to defund the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)? 

Answer: We strongly support U.S. assistance to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

Our assistance to UNFPA ensures access to essential health care services for women and families in nearly 150 countries. UNFPA’s programs provide a broad spectrum of critical health services for women and children worldwide, including helping to increase life expectancy, end female genital mutilation and cutting, reduce transmission of HIV/AIDS, and ensure access to essential health care services for women and families impacted by emergencies.

UNFPA’s investments in family planning and maternal and child health have contributed to a decline of at least 30 percent in maternal deaths in 19 countries. If we are to continue along this path of progress, we must continue to fund UNFPA.