Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) in Emergencies / RAISE Initiative Goal: Build on current sexual reproductive health programs by integrating emergency preparedness and response and take best practices and lessons learned from SRH programs to inform strategies that address the needs of women and girls in emergencies.
What do we mean by Sexual Reproductive Health? Family Planning Maternal Newborn Care - EmONC Prevention and Treatment of STIs/HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care for Survivors of Gender-based Violence
Three core areas Strengthen institutional capacity Improve staff preparedness Enhance learning and sharing
Why SRH in Emergencies In general 4% of displaced populations are pregnant women 15% of all pregnancies result in unforeseen complications 75% of all maternal deaths are due to five causes (all of which can be treated) Health including SRH/HIV interventions can reduce negative consequences of disaster on women, girls, families and communities
Why SRH in Emergencies? (Cont.) Reports on rape during conflict detail profound brutality towards women and girls and less frequently men and boys Family planning can prevent 25-30% of all maternal deaths The growing number of humanitarian crises, often linked with displacement, food insecurity and poverty, increase vulnerability to HIV and negatively affect the lives of PLHIV
Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH Identify focal point for RH within organization individual Prevent and manage the consequences of sexual violence plan camp design or assess setting where affected population is staying medical response (EC, STI prevention, PEP) inform the community about prevention and services protection of at risk groups
Components of the MISP Cont. Reduce HIV transmission universal precautions free condoms safe blood Continue antiretrovial therapy, home-based care, PMTCT Prevent excess neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality referral for obstetric emergencies clean and safe deliveries at health facility clean home deliveries
Components of the MISP Cont. Plan for comprehensive RH services and programs (maternal newborn care including EmONC, family planning, STIs/HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence), integrated into other programs such as primary health care as soon as possible collect background information identify suitable sites order supplies train staff
Mortality, morbidity & disability in crisis-affected populations (refugees/IDPs or populations hosting them) GOAL Plan for COMPREHENSIVE RH services, integrated into Primary Health Care ◙ Baseline info & M&E ◙ ID sites for future delivery of comprehensive RH ◙ Assess staff & ID training protocols ◙ Procurement channels Objective 5 RH Kit 4 RH Kit 5 RH Kit 7 Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for RH in Crisis Situations Transmission of HIV/STI ◙ Universal precautions enforced ◙ Free condoms available ◙ Safe blood transfusion Objective 3 Identify agency/persons to facilitate COORDINATION & IMPLEMENTATION ◙ RH coordinator in place under health coordination team ◙ RH focal person in place in camps ◙ RH kits available & used RH Kit 0 Objective 1 Prevent sexual violence & assist survivors ◙ Protection system in place for displaced populations, especially women & girls ◙ Medical services & psychosocial support available for survivors Objective 2 RH Kit 3 RH Kit 9 RH Kit 12 RH Kit 1 Universal precautions through kits 1-12 Prevent EXCESS maternal & neonatal mortality & morbidity ◙ Referral system for EmONC available 24/7 ◙ Midwife delivery kits for clean and safe health facilities ◙ Provide clean delivery kits for visibly pregnant women & birth attendants to ensure clean home deliveries RH Kit 2 RH Kit 6 Objective 4 RH Kit 8 RH Kit 10 RH Kit 11 RH Kit 9 RH Kit 12
Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health Distance learning module available at CARE Academy and
Resources for SRH in Emergencies Join the interagency working group for RH in emergencies,
Resources for Mainstreaming Gender For this manual and other resources on gender, go to: eform.org/Default.aspx?t abid=452
Resources for Gender-based Violence Programming These and other tools available at
Resources for HIV/AIDS Programming Under development: Revised IASC Guidelines for Addressing HIV in Humani- tarian Situations -Integrating HIV/AIDS into Humanitarian Action – an Induction Manual
Resources for Gender and Sexuality
Links for SRH in Emergencies – MISP distance learning module, resources on all RH topics and to join IAWG for RH in emergencieswww.rhrc.org – Fact sheets and resourceswww.raiseinitiative.org - Resources on HIV/AIDShttp://
Listservs and Virtual Network SRH Google Group – Regular messages on SRH topics including tools, materials, conferences, and workshops SRH in Emergencies – Bi-weekly messages regarding tools, materials, workshops and conferences SRH in Emergencies Technical Reference Group To join or for more information, contact Brooke Barnes at
Discussion Questions What aspects of sexual reproductive health might be relevant to your programming? What support do you need?