VZCZCXYZ1014
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKI #1098/01 3510850
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 170850Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0441
INFO RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0005

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001098 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AIDAC 
 
USAID FOR AA/AFR, AFR/EA, AF/SD, GH/RCS AND GH/PRH 
STATE FOR AF/C AND PRM 
USAID EAST AFRICA FOR EA/RHH 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR ETRD ECON PGOV PREL CG
SUBJECT:  USAID AND UNFPA SUPPORT NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE 
REPOSITIONING OF FAMILY PLANNING IN THE DRC 
 
¶1. Summary:  USAID has helped to pave the way for the repositioning 
of Family Planning (FP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 
(DRC), thus creating an opportunity for increased support to 
capitalize on the present momentum to expand the FP activities in 
the DRC.  A December 8-9 National Conference to Reposition Family 
Planning was successful in mobilizing stakeholders in support of 
this important objective.  Actions taken during 2009 respond to 
USAID/ Washington's call for renewed efforts to reposition FP in 
sub-Saharan Africa.  End Summary. 
 
 
¶2.  A National Conference to Reposition Family Planning was 
organized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kinshasa on December 
8-9, engaging key stakeholders to launch a recommitment to family 
planning efforts in the DRC.  The conference was the result of six 
months of collaborative discussions led by USAID along with the 
National Reproductive Health Program of the Ministry of Health, 
Ministry of Gender, Family and Children, Ministry of Plan, UNFPA and 
other key stakeholders, experts, cooperating agencies, civil society 
organizations, and donor agencies.  Over 150 key participants, 
including government officials and dignitaries from all 11 
provinces, participated, drawing widespread media attention. 
 
¶3.  The First Lady of the DRC, Madame Olive Lembe Kabila, officially 
opened the conference.  The U.S. Ambassador, Mr. William J. 
Garvelink, the DRC Minister of Health, the Minister of Gender, 
Family and Children, the Minister of Planning, the Director of the 
National Reproductive Health Program, representative of the Governor 
of Kinshasa, and the United Nations Population Fund DRC Country 
Representative, Dr. Richard Dackam-Ngatchou, and Prof. Alois Nguma 
Monganza of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa all 
strongly advocated for repositioning FP in the DRC. 
 
¶4.  The conference, a first step toward a long-term collaborative 
plan of enhanced actions to reinvigorate family planning with 
improved service delivery and increased financial assistance, closed 
with strong pledges of engagement by, and a joint signing ceremony 
with, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender, Family and 
Children, Ministry of Plan and UNFPA, UNICEF and the World Health 
Organization.  Mme. Olive Lembe Kabila presided and reaffirmed the 
country's need for family planning and for couples to use it. 
 
¶5.  During the first day of the conference, technical experts 
presented salient information on the current situation in the DRC, 
the critical need for family planning services, and strategies for 
improving the delivery of family planning services in the country. 
The second day, conducted largely through work groups, developed 
recommendations and a plan of action to implement the program. 
 
¶6.  Considerable media attention focused on the conference.  Such 
public attention is greatly needed in the DRC.  Family planning 
needs are among the most critical.  Reproductive and child health 
indicators have deteriorated alarmingly over the last two decades. 
The 2007 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) documented that 27% of 
women in union (about 10 million) either want to space their next 
birth or have no more births.  However, only 7% use a modern method 
compared to 16% in 1990.  Maternal mortality is estimated at 549 per 
100,000 live births.  One out of 29 women dies of birthing related 
causes.  Infant mortality is estimated at 92/1,000 in the first year 
and 148 for those under five. 
Qand 148 for those under five. 
 
 
¶7.  The United Nations estimates that the population of DRC may 
increase from 65 million to 300 million by 2050 if the current total 
fertility rate (TFR) of 6.7 continues unchanged.  By contrast, a 
linear decrease of the TFR to 2.5 by 2050 would result in a total 
population of 160 million by 2050.  Achieving a 2.5 TRF by 2050 will 
require a significant, widespread effort. 
 
¶8.  The three main resolutions adopted during the conference are: 1) 
Reestablishment and revitalization of the FP technical steering 
committee is essential as a permanent, standing, inter-governmental 
and civil society entity responsible for FP/RH and population 
advocacy, monitoring and awareness raising.  This will be a 
centerpiece of national efforts to bring cohesion, continuity and 
coordination to heretofore largely scattered and frequently uneven 
efforts to expand FP/RH programs and services.  Assistance from 
donor agencies' will be vital to ensure the effectiveness of this 
committee as government agencies attempt to allocate increased 
resources to FP/RH programs.  2) Development of a coordinated 
cross-sectoral strategy and plan for expanded, integrated FP/RH 
programs, as well as renewed population policies and programs that 
will factor in demographic growth projections, estimates of FP/RH 
commodities over the coming years, and mechanisms for integrating 
health, educational, housing, food and nutrition and employment 
needs into the highest levels of governmental planning and budgeting 
 
processes. 
3) Development of a coordinated and cross-sectoral plan and program 
to communicate, promote and publicize use of FP/RH services by 
couples of reproductive age through behavioral change communication, 
community mobilization, expanded and improved FP/RH services at 
village level, health centers, clinics, hospitals and private health 
care facilities, local and national media communications, 
faith-based organizations and educational systems. 
 
 
¶9.  In addition to reaching consensus on these resolutions, major 
decision makers are now fully engaged and understand the direct 
links between Family Planning and long-term development for the DRC. 
 Furthermore, the conference laid essential advocacy groundwork by 
empowering key persons and personalites to speak comfortably and 
effectively in public about the importance of family planning. 
 
¶10.  Appropriate financial resources are needed to capitalize on the 
political will, momentum and platform created by this conference. 
Mr. William J. Garvelink, U.S. Ambassador to the DRC, has opened 
dialogue with other ambassadors in Kinshasa to increase their 
country's financial commitments to Family Planning.  Mr. Stephen 
Haykin, USAID Mission Director, who is advocating among his 
counterparts, provided an emphatic closing speech on the 
multi-sectoral significance of family planning and reproductive 
health, including linkages with economic development, the role of 
women and the environment. 
 
 
¶11.  Comment: The First Lady's active leadership is historic and her 
statements in support of FP could not have been stronger.  The 
Conference was a successful effort targeting three sets of actors 
who need henceforth to work in much greater concert: government 
decision makers and influential stakeholders; international donors; 
and the general population.  USAID will continue to mobilize in such 
ways but also looks to Washington to provide support to the DRC 
through the new Global Health Initiative and to lend its weight to 
the task of influencing others at their headquarters level such as 
the World Bank.  The way has been significantly cleared now in the 
Democratic Republic of Congo to apply increased FP resources with 
likely increasingly successful results. 
 
GARVELINK