ASSESSING NEED

In 2000, UNFPA supported initial assessments of reproductive health conditions and needs in Angola, the Northern Caucasus, Serbia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, southern Sudan, and Colombia. The assessment of Ethiopia and Eritrea, done jointly with UNAIDS, concentrated on the HIV implications of the conflict between the two countries. Mission members met with government, military and civilian leaders in each country, as well as with donors, United Nations officials and leaders of the United Nations peacekeeping mission along the border to raise awareness of the rapid increase in HIV transmission and to encourage urgent prevention and care programmes. In Angola, we did a comprehensive survey of conditions among internally displaced persons and subsequently developed targeted programmes for reproductive health services and the prevention of gender violence.

RAPID RESPONSE

UNFPA established a rapid-response fund of $1 million a year in 2000 to enable quicker response to emergencies, especially in the initial stages. In recognition of our leading role in emergency reproductive health, UNFPA was accorded full membership in the United Nations Inter-Agency Standing Committee for Humanitarian Affairs in April 2000.

TRAINING FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

To improve the provision of high quality reproductive health services to refugees and displaced persons, UNFPA conducted two regional training sessions in 2000. In September/October, we organized a training session in Nairobi, Kenya for Africa, and in November, we held a training session in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the Eastern European and Central Asian area. Training provides international and national health workers with a clear understanding of reproductive health needs and gives them appropriate skills to assess needs, plan and carry out interventions, and monitor and evaluate projects.