Bridging Critical Supply Chain Gaps With the Power of Partnerships

When the U.S. Government issued a USAID Stop-Work Order (SWO) earlier this year, it sent shockwaves through healthcare supply chains in dozens of countries. These breakdowns threaten women’s and girls’ access to contraceptives, maternal health supplies, and other life-saving services. 

UNFPA’s Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) moved swiftly into action. Collaborating with regional and country teams, SCMU launched a global effort to gather real-time data on the scope and severity of the disruptions, demonstrating that many countries face interruptions of the delivery of essential SRHR supplies. 

The findings were sobering:

• 19 countries face severe interruptions to the delivery of essential SRHR commodities
• 20 countries face moderate interruptions to the delivery of essential SRHR commodities

Zambia Responds: A Rapid Shift to Protect SRH Access

In Zambia, the impact was immediate and severe. U.S. funding previously accounted for 29% of all SRHR supplies. With the suspension of the supply delivery transport system, PASCO program, which delivered 70% of the country's medical supplies, the country faced an unprecedented logistical crisis.

But the response has been just as swift.

The Ministry of Health convened key partners — including UNFPA — to develop emergency distribution strategies. By leveraging the government’s existing infrastructure and tapping into UNFPA’s global procurement networks, Zambia is able to keep supply lines open.

“We think of the women and girls in rural areas,” said Abel Livingi, UNFPA’s Senior Procurement Officer, leading efforts on the ground.

“They rely on these commodities to plan their families, avoid unwanted pregnancies, and protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections. With adolescent pregnancy already at 27.6%, we couldn’t afford more barriers. That’s why we’ve worked tirelessly to maintain the flow of supplies from central warehouses to regional hubs — and down to the last mile.”

Together with Edna Mokaya, UNFPA’s lead on food security and SRHR, the team is supporting the Ministry of Health to get critical products to health facilities across the country.

UNFPA-supported mobile clinics have been vital:  “Hundreds of people came,” Mokaya said. “Couples and families, looking for guidance on contraception and family planning — and grateful for the choices available to them.” 

Partnerships save lives

Across the globe, governments, UNFPA country offices, and international partners are coming together to redesign supply chain routes, mobilize rapid response plans, and strengthen resource flows.

Funding gaps remain — and the consequences are devastating. But the efforts in Zambia and beyond demonstrate that  responsive, resilient partnerships can mitigate negative impacts in healthcare systems - even in crisis. 

Thank you to the Zambia Country office for their valuable support in producing this article and to the colleagues: Carly Learson, Edna Mokaya, Anna Holmstrom