The Canadian government has injected CAD4.2 million to the United Nations Population Fund in South Sudan to support midwifery services and response to gender-based violence in the country.

In a statement to Radio Tamazuj, the Canadian government said the funds will support the Strengthening Midwifery Services Project in partnership with the UNFPA and the health ministry, which aims to address the high maternal death rate in the country. Besides, it will support the training and deployment of midwives and other health professionals through the South Sudan Nurses and Midwives Association.

The statement further stated that Canada also supports the response to gender-based violence through one-stop centers that provide immediate integrated and survivor-centered medical, psychosocial and legal services to survivors of GBV in Juba, Rumbek, and Malualkon

The Canadian Ambassador to South Sudan Douglas Scott Proudfoot was quoted by the UN Radio Miraya as saying that the additional funding is to complement the CAD50-million funding for the (2016-2020) of the midwifery project.

Canada also contributed CAD4.5 million to the South Sudan Health Pooled Fund in the fight against COVID-19.