[{"bbox": [96, 152, 1135, 313], "category": "Text", "text": "2000 to 401 per 100 000 in 2017, maternal and neonatal mortalities (28 per 1 000 live births⁸) remain high mainly due to poor quality of maternal, neonatal and child health services. In 2019, only 43% of pregnant women had four or more visits to health facilities during her pregnancy, mothers delivering with the assistance of skilled birth attendants remains low at around 50%. This progress has stalled because of the conflict. In a similar manner, increasing the capacity of other medical specialties has lagged behind, including for specialised medicine greatly needed in conflict settings, such as traumatology, surgery and emergency services, including rehabilitation."}, {"bbox": [96, 323, 1135, 484], "category": "Text", "text": "Although Ethiopia has made significant progress in the access to basic health facilities, young people still face a number of health challenges that have increased with the current conflict and the COVID 19 pandemic, including inadequate access to sexual and reproductive health information/services, malnutrition, prevalence of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse (particularly khat, tobacco, alcohol and drug use). Young women, including women and girls with disabilities, represent a high-risk group in Ethiopia, being especially vulnerable to gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and early marriage."}, {"bbox": [96, 508, 1135, 615], "category": "Text", "text": "In this context, addressing the human capital and development of the population through health (as well as education) is vital, not only to address the needs arising from the conflict, but also for the economic development of the country, its political and social stability, and to improve the livelihoods of the population to drive poverty and inequality reduction."}, {"bbox": [96, 626, 1135, 735], "category": "Text", "text": "Under these circumstances, it is vital that the EU ensures continued support to people in Ethiopia, in particular those most affected by the conflict. The current cooperation between the EU and the government of Ethiopia has been limited due to the ongoing conflict. Such a situation has also led to a delayed approval of the 2021-2027 Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Ethiopia."}, {"bbox": [96, 744, 1135, 853], "category": "Text", "text": "The increasing needs of the communities living in the most vulnerable situations in Ethiopia, in particular girls and women, persons with disabilities and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and refugees must be addressed promptly and translate into the need for Individual Measures. The use of these measures is appropriate as the EU currently lacks the relevant programming document due to the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia."}, {"bbox": [96, 876, 1135, 1196], "category": "Text", "text": "Within such a challenging context, the government has developed the second Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II, 2020/21-2024/25) with the aim to improve the health status of the population through accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), protecting people from emergencies, creating woreda transformation and making the health system responsive to people's needs and expectations. The HSTP-II also aspires to achieve Universal Health Coverage through expanding access to services and improving the provision of quality and equitable health services at all levels. Reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent and youth health (RMNCAYH) and nutrition interventions continue to be the major focus areas. As for woreda transformation, it is expected to be realised through its Primary Health Care (PHC) approach. It mainly focuses on strengthening and transforming district health systems through improving key health system investments and implementing high-impact health interventions at household and primary health care levels. It also addresses implementation of woreda management standards, reforms and implementation of health-financing strategies (including expanding of Community Based Health Insurance coverage) to reduce financial risks to the community."}, {"bbox": [96, 1207, 1135, 1313], "category": "Text", "text": "This Action is aligned with the reforms envisaged by the HSTP-II, in particular with its objectives of a) accelerating progress towards universal health coverage, and b) improving health system responsiveness. The Ministry of Health has also started assessing the needs assessment arising from the conflict, focusing on assessing damage and destruction of health facilities."}, {"bbox": [96, 1325, 1135, 1434], "category": "Text", "text": "The present Action is also fully consistent and aligned with European Commission policies, objectives and priorities. The action is aligned to the European Consensus for Development⁹, the Gender Action Plan III¹⁰, the EU Disability Rights Strategy 2021-2030, the EU vision of the future Africa-EU partnership as per its Communication \"Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa\"¹¹ and especially with the Partnership for"}, {"bbox": [85, 1461, 584, 1484], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁸ World Bank, Data bank. Consulted on 21 December 2021."}, {"bbox": [85, 1486, 1143, 1558], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁹ Joint declaration by the Council and the representatives of the governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission on the development policy of the European Union entitled \"The European Consensus\" [Official Journal C 210 of 30.6.2017]."}, {"bbox": [85, 1559, 1143, 1610], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹⁰ EU Gender Action Plan (Gap) III – An Ambitious Agenda for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in EU External Action - European Parliament resolution of 10 March 2022 on the EU Gender Action Plan III (2021/2003(INI))"}, {"bbox": [85, 1620, 266, 1645], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹¹ JOIN(2020) 4 final"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1681, 1143, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 21"}]