The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the embassy of the Republic of Korea in Rwanda to support family planning, sexual and reproductive health among Burundian refugees in Mahama camp in Kirehe District.

The camp currently hosts more than 40, 000 refugees.

According to the agreement, the Republic of Korea will provide up to $450,000 (about Rwf335 million) in form of financial assistance to ensure continuity of UNFPA activities in the camp.

Jozef Maeriën, UNFPA Representative said the objective is to make sure the goal of achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health, for the displaced women and girls is realised.

In May, UNFPA initiated maternal health services and in August 2015 started family planning (FP) services in Mahama camp.

And so far a total of 652 women have received modern family planning methods.

There is however, need to increase these services to meet the increasing demand and   deter any unwanted pregnancies, spread of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in the camp, Maeriën explained.

"Sexual and reproductive health is critical to be integrated into humanitarian emergency response to save the lives of women and adolescent girls. With this financial support from the Republic of Korea, UNFPA will be able to continue providing access to sexual and reproductive health as one of the most critical life-saving interventions,” Maeriën said.

Park Yong-min, the ambassador Republic of Korea to Rwanda, said the support is part of the global initiative to support those displaced by conflicts and amounts to $200million.

Amb. Yong-min called for a political dialogue to end the conflict in Burundi.

 Meanwhile, the UN estimates that of the 92 per cent of registered Burundians, 60 per cent are children, while more than 25 per cent are women.

UNFPA offers family planning services and works closely with partners to ensure refugees access family planning services.

The status report for December indicates an increase in the use of family planning methods by refugees.