Protecting the Reproductive Health of Communities in Crisis

When emergencies strike, life can change in an instant. Conflict and natural disasters can destroy homes and communities – or suddenly drive people from them. Forced to flee or find shelter, often with little more than the clothes on their backs, families and individuals find themselves without basic necessities – from obvious things like food and water to hygiene supplies, contraceptives and medical care.

In times of upheaval, pregnancy-related deaths and sexual violence soar. Reproductive health services - including prenatal care, assisted delivery, and emergency obstetric care - often become unavailable. Young people become more vulnerable to HIV infection and sexual exploitation. And many women lose access to family planning services, exposing them to unwanted pregnancy in perilous conditions.

UNFPA in action

UNFPA moves quickly when emergency strikes, to protect the reproductive health of communities in crisis. It also provides assistance to stricken communities as they move beyond the acute crisis and enter the reconstruction phase. The Fund also supports various data collection activities, including censuses to provide detailed information for planning and rapid health assessments to allow for appropriate, effective and efficient relief.

UNFPA is committed to assisting and protecting women, men and youth made vulnerable by natural disaster, armed conflict, and other causes. This includes refugees, internally displaced persons, and people made homeless or vulnerable by natural disaster. In the rush to provide humanitarian assistance, the particular strengths and vulnerabilities of women are often overlooked. Yet targeted support to women can be one of the best ways to ensure the health, security and well-being of families and entire communities. UNFPA works with partners to ensure that the specific needs of women are factored into the planning of all humanitarian assistance. UNFPA also address urgent reproductive health needs that are sometimes forgotten.

Global advocacy efforts and strong partnerships are the foundation of the UNFPA response. Advocacy emphasizes the importance of providing reproductive health information and services from the very beginning of a crisis, and ensuring that the particular and gender-specific needs of women and girls are taken into account. UNFPA also sponsors workshops, evaluations and conferences to share information and improve interagency coordination and cooperation.

Learn More:
	Securing the Supply in Times of Crisis
	Women, Peace and Security
	Women and Young People in Times of Crisis (Chapter 8, State of World Population 2005)
	Two UN studies –an independent experts' assessment, and a report by the Secretary-General - provide additional details about the ways that women are disproportionately affected by war.