The German government pledged US$1.8 million to the United Nations Fund for Population
Activities to help reduce the country's high maternal mortality rates. An October
30 German Embassy announcement said the funds will be channeled through the UNFPA
to the Ministry of Health. UNFPA 's Alice Levisay said the German funds would be
used to support midwifery capacities and maternal health programs in Cambodia. Midwives
are in short supply and midwifery technical skills required significant improvement,
according to UNFPA.