Reproductive Health

Emergency Response

UNFPA works with governments, other UN agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to meet the emergency reproductive health needs of refugees, the internally displaced, and others affected by crisis. Since 1994, UNFPA has supported emergency projects in more than 50 countries and territories.

UNFPA’s Rapid response to emergencies includes the immediate shipment of supplies and equipment to enable pregnant women to deliver safely. When the situation stabilizes, UNFPA Humanitarian Response helps lay the groundwork for future human development - by supporting reproductive health services to promote safe motherhood, adolescent reproductive health, and access to condoms. Interventions also address violence against women and the transmission of sexually-transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.

Kenya is prone to natural disasters such as droughts and floods.  Inter-ethnic clashes are also a common occurrence that is most often exacerbated by natural disasters.  In addition, Kenya is surrounded by Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda that are all experiencing conflict.   Kenya is also host to approximately 200,000 refugees mostly from southern Sudan and Somalia.

In Kenya, UNFPA is part of the government coordination meetings and is a member of the government of Kenya health and nutrition subgroup that coordinates the health and nutrition responses in emergencies. UNFPA Kenya also co-chairs with UNHCR a working group focusing on urban refugee women at risk.

As a direct response to the drought in Kenya – UNFPA has received the allocation of CERF funds to provide emergency RH kits and training on the MISP (Minimum Initial Service Package that is provided in emergencies).

At the regional level – UNFPA is involved in the regional inter-agency working group whose website can be found at www.humanitarianinfo.org/iawg-nairobi

UNFPA is a core member of the HIV/AID in emergency working group and a core member of the GBV in emergencies Task Force.  Both groups aim to increase the coordination and response to these issues in emergencies.  The groups provided technical assistance at country level and produce guidance papers for emergencies such as the HIV/AIDS and drought paper and the GBV and drought papers.  UNFPA is also involved in rolling out the IASC field guidelines for the prevention and response to GBV in emergencies.