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SAVING LIVES AND FOSTERING RESILIENCE IN UNITY STATE

Saving Lives and Fostering Resilience: Unity State Scales Up Reproductive Health Services with UNFPA–KOICA Support

November 6, 2025 | Bentiu, Unity State

Women and girls in Unity State are gaining improved access to lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services through a new UNFPA–KOICA–funded initiative. The three-year project, worth $4.5 million, aims to strengthen maternal health, family planning, and gender-based violence (GBV) response in crisis-affected areas.

Access to reproductive health services in Unity State has continued to improve despite ongoing humanitarian challenges, according to the Acting Director for Reproductive Health, Mr. Michael Guo Puot . He said that access to maternal and reproductive care has expanded greatly compared to previous years, especially for flood-affected communities in Rubkona County.

“The situation was very bad before. Women could not reach health facilities because of insecurity, poor roads, and long distances,” Mr. Guo Puot said. “Now, things have changed. When a pregnant woman experiences complications, we can send a boat or vehicle to bring her to the facility. This has reduced maternal deaths compared to before.”

The State Reproductive Health Department, with the support of UNFPA, continues to deliver integrated sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and emergency response care across Unity State.

Project Launch: Saving Lives and Fostering Resilience

UNFPA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MoGCSW) and the Ministry of Health (MoH), has launched a new initiative titled:

“Saving Lives, Fostering Resilience: Providing Lifesaving and Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender-Based Violence Services in Humanitarian Settings.”

Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the project aims to improve the well-being of women and girls affected by severe insecurity and climate shocks.

Most of South Sudan’s population continues to face limited access to essential services, and women and girls remain disproportionately affected. Socio-cultural norms still hinder access to reproductive health services, increasing maternal health risks and gender-based violence (GBV).

The KOICA–UNFPA partnership, valued at USD 4,536,677, will run from 2024 to 2026, supporting lifesaving SRH and GBV services in Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile States.

“Accessibility to healthcare especially essential life-saving services remains a challenge in affected areas of South Sudan, putting the lives of many women and girls at high risk. We thank KOICA for the generous funding that will scale up health and protection services for the well-being of women and girls,” said a UNFPA official during the project launch.

The project is currently implemented by Health Link South Sudan (National NGO) and Cordaid (International NGO), in partnership with the State Ministry of Health and State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare under the Unity State Government.

Challenges and Community Outreach

Despite significant gains, accessibility remains a major challenge. Some villages including Kaljak, Nianti, Naurangwar, Panjan, and Top are only accessible by boat or canoe, especially during the rainy season.

“These places are isolated. Sometimes, it takes hours for a boat to bring a woman in labor to the nearest health center,” Mr. Guo Puot said. “But even with these challenges, the state is better now — not like before.”

Improved security has also enabled health workers to reach more communities, conduct mobile clinic outreaches, and provide essential reproductive health kits.

Addressing Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence remains a concern in Unity State, with 371 cases recorded recently, including 91 girls, 80 men, and 71 boys affected.

“Some GBV cases result from domestic violence or rape during community conflicts,” Mr. Guo Puot said. “But we continue to educate people that equality starts at home men and women must share responsibilities.”

He emphasized that perpetrators of rape are prosecuted, noting that the state government has strengthened justice mechanisms for GBV survivors.

Promoting Family Planning and Male Engagement

Mr. Guo Puot also urged men to support their wives and daughters in accessing family planning services, stressing that reproductive health is a right and a personal decision.

“Family planning is not a crime; it is a treatment,” he said. “We advise men not to stop their wives from using contraceptives. It’s about health, not shame.”

He said more couples now understand the benefits of family planning and condom use, which also helps prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.

UNFPA’s Continued Impact

Mr. Guo Puot praised UNFPA’s support for equipping health facilities, deploying mobile clinics, and training midwives and health workers.

“Before, there were many deaths because there were no services. But now, with UNFPA support, we have emergency kits, trained staff, and mobile teams reaching flood-affected communities,” he said. “The difference between then and now is big women are surviving.”

A Call for Sustainability

The Reproductive Health Department called for continued investment in health infrastructure, logistics, and community awareness.

“We need to sustain these services for our people,” Mr. Guo Puot concluded. “Communities are benefiting, families are supported, and our state is improving.”

The Unity State government and partners remain committed to ensuring that every woman and girl even in the most remote areas can access safe, dignified, and quality reproductive health care.