Strategic Funding Bolsters Supply Chain Innovation And Expands Access to Choice

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announce a significant expansion of their funding partnership, dedicated to empowering women, girls, and young people through enhanced availability of quality-assured sexual and reproductive health (SRH) supplies. The expanded funding builds upon the Gates Foundation's ongoing commitment of up to $100 million to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, with $4.59 million awarded in 2023 to bolster UNFPA's procurement and supply chain management capacity throughout 2024 and 2025. 

The additional $7 million grant will drive innovation in UNFPA's supply chain over the next four years. This includes taking supply chain innovation to new heights with the Supply Chain Analytics and Optimization Hub. With this data-driven technology, UNFPA can improve forecast accuracy, track supplies in real-time, and strengthen decision-making for a more effective global supply chain.

”Through our collective impact, we’re pioneering innovative supply chain management solutions to reach the furthest behind - ensuring that every woman and girl has the freedom to plan- and the power to choose her own future.”  - Karen Hong, Chief, UNFPA Supply Chain Management Unit

”By harnessing the power of technology and data, we can transform UNFPA's supply chain into a proactive and responsive system to meet the growing needs of the communities we serve.”  - Søren Thomassen, Director, UNFPA Information Technology Solutions Office 

The continuous collaboration between UNFPA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation  enhances UNFPA’s expanding Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU), increasing the organization’s capacity to deliver essential SRH supplies to women and girls worldwide and empowering them to exercise their right to sexual and reproductive health.