SUVA, Fiji - The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Fiji and Pacific Office has reaffirmed its dedication to improving the health outcomes of pregnant mothers and newborns in the Republic of Kiribati, by extending its financial contribution to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific Sub-Regional Office, for the second consecutive year.

According to the most recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019, the average number of children born to a woman in Kiribati over her lifetime is 3.3, and the Adolescent Birth Rate is 51 per 1,000 women (15-19 years), higher than the global average of 44.  As a result of pregnancy or childbirth, 97 women are dying per 100,000 live births, falling short of the SDG3 Target of 70/100,000, which is among concerns of the Government.  The most recent Health Facility Readiness and Service Availability Assessment conducted in 2019 with support from UNFPA, revealed that maternity services are accessible mainly in urban centres, but are largely absent on most outer islands. Fewer than 20% of the facilities were equipped with forceps or towels for drying newborns, and only 26% had a scale for infants.

It was against this backdrop that KOICA, represented by Country Director for Fiji and Pacific, Ms. Hankyulsam Cho, signed an agreement with UNFPA Director for the Pacific Iori Kato, on 30 April 2024 at the KOICA Office in Suva, Fiji. This KOICA-UNFPA collaboration aims to further enhance the capacity of the Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to better address unique challenges in providing quality services to pregnant women, lactating mothers and newborns in the Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in the Micronesian sub-region, through procuring and donating essential equipment.

It is the second time in a row since last year that KOICA Fiji and Pacific has provided funding to UNFPA for Kiribati to augment reproductive, maternal and newborn healthcare.  “KOICA Fiji and Pacific Office is delighted to announce its commitment to elevating the dignity and ensuring the safety of mother and baby. Building upon the successful delivery bed support initiative from the previous year, we take great pride in offering quality care and services for expectant mothers and their newborns,” said KOICA Country Diretor Ms. Cho.

The increased availability of new and standardized equipment will reduce the risks of infections during childbirth for women and newborns.  "We in UNFPA are deeply grateful to KOICA for your continued partnership and generosity, which is critical for our ongoing efforts at ensuring that every childbirth in the Pacific is safe and dignified, no matter if a mother lives in the furthest outer island, or if her community is hit by a climate crisis,” said UNFPA Pacific Director Iori Kato.

“In support of Member States and healthcare workers on the ground, we are together making strong strides towards a future where sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health is a guaranteed right for all, and not a privilege for some. All  preventable maternal and perinatal deaths, must be eliminated.  Zero is the only acceptable number,” Kato added.

For more information, please contact UNFPA Pacific at:

Ms. Jeonghye Han - Sexual & Reproductive Health Programme Analyst, jehan@unfpa.org