married before the age of 18 each year. (6) UNFPA, which works in three times as many countries as the United States Agency for International Development, extends the impact of United States foreign assistance by reaching people in politically unstable regions. UNFPA also plays a pivotal role in meeting protection and health care needs in countries experiencing humanitarian emergencies like Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Yemen. (7) Voluntary family planning is central to global health, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and it is a key factor in reducing poverty. (8) UNFPA continues to rebuild health systems following the COVID–19 outbreak by supporting frontline health workers who help to limit potential increases in maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning, gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, and child marriage. 3. Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States as follows: (1) Improving the status of women around the world is a critical component of the United States foreign policy and development strategies. (2) The right of every person to determine freely whether, when, and with whom to have children, and to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health, is a basic human right. (3) Access to voluntary contraception and reproductive health care is necessary to improving the status of women and ensuring this basic human right. (4) UNFPA is a key partner to the United States in improving the status of women and expanding access to voluntary family planning and reproductive health care services throughout the world. (5) UNFPA helps ensure that family planning and reproductive health programs are voluntary and centered on protecting human rights. (6) Financial support for UNFPA is a crucial part of the United States commitment to global health, development, and human rights, and the Government of the United States is committed to providing core, development, and humanitarian funding to UNFPA. 4. Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be