There is reason to celebrate at the offices of Presbyterian World Service and Development. Not only did the church’s relief and development organization receive almost $700,000 for its East Africa appeal—$554,000 of which is eligible to be matched by CIDA—but it also recently learned that the Government of Canada will support two of its child and maternal health programs to the tune of $1.5 million.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced in September that PWS&D, along with other Canadian agencies, would receive funding under the Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, a project endorsed by the leaders of the G – 8 nations back in June 2010. They were joined in this initiative by other nations and organizations, which together committed US$7.3 billion in new funding over five years, with Canada committing $1.1 billion.
PWS&D’s projects are in Afghanistan and Malawi. In Afghanistan, the project will train birth attendants, improve health facilities, and benefit 19,000 women by helping to change community attitudes toward maternal health services.
In Malawi, maternal and neonatal deaths will be reduced by lowering fertility rates, increasing access to obstetric services through empowering women and communities in their referral and communications systems, and improving health – seeking behaviour. Up to 17,000 children will have access to and benefit from improved health care services at the local level. The funding for both projects will run from 2011 – 2014.
PWS&D was selected from among 60 applications from across Canada.
“The committee and staff of PWS&D are pleased with the Prime Minister’s Office announcement that includes PWS&D as one of 28 Canadian development organizations and agencies ‘selected based on the effectiveness and sustainability of their submissions’ for the Muskoka Initiative,'” said PWS&D director, Ken Kim. “The process was highly competitive and speaks to the ability of PWS&D and partners in Afghanistan and Malawi to carry out high quality work.” — with files from the Prime Minister of Canada website
