UNFPA assistance starts in the initial phase of an emergency and extends through rehabilitation and beyond humanitarian aid to meet the long-term goals of development. From airlifts of life-saving supplies to ongoing advocacy, UNFPA support for reproductive health and rights takes many forms.

Pre-packaged supplies speed response.

Quick response saves lives, which is why UNFPA ships pre-packaged supplies directly to emergency situations. Supplies, equipment and medicine are organized and stored in Amsterdam for immediate shipment. Reproductive health needs in the early phase of an emergency include:

• Safe delivery for births with and without skilled help;
  
• Condoms to prevent STI transmission and unwanted pregnancy;
• Contraceptives and family planning support;
• Rape prevention and management;
• STI prevention and drugs for treatment;
• HIV/AIDS prevention;
• Care after miscarriages and unsafe abortions;
• Sutures and surgery for caesarian sections and bleeding;
• Safe blood transfusions and instructions on universal precautions;
• Referrals for more advanced care.

Supplies to meet each of these needs are packaged together in 12 emergency reproductive health kits. Depending on the situation, orders might be placed for home delivery kits, condoms kits or kits with hospital-level equipment. Once an emergency stabilizes, the procurement of reproductive health materials becomes a regular part of a more comprehensive health care programme.

Rapid assessment identifies needs.

Accurate data enable relief agencies to respond appropriately. UNFPA's expertise in data collection and analysis is used in crisis situations to determine needs, design programmes, and monitor progress.

Partnerships enhance cooperation.

Relationships forged under crisis conditions are part of an ever-expanding network of UNFPA partnerships. Ultimately, when calm returns, these partnerships will contribute to stronger reproductive health services in the future.

Training builds capacity.

Beyond the equipment and supplies that meet immediate needs, UNFPA supports training that has a lasting impact on reproductive health. Training builds capacity by enhancing the knowledge, skills and attitudes associated with reproductive health in emergencies.

Advocacy raises awareness.

The message of UNFPA advocacy efforts is simple but significant: all refugees and displaced persons have a right to reproductive health, which must be an integrated component of the services provided in a crisis.

Since 1994, the United Nations Population Fund has supported emergency reproductive health projects in more than 50 countries.

In 2000-2001, governments requested UNFPA support to replace or re-establish reproductive health services in response to a variety of crisis situations:

• Natural disasters in El Salvador, India, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Mongolia, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Turkey, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
• Refugees fleeing armed conflict or political crises in Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, Colombia, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Pakistan, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Yemen, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Zambia.

In September 2001, UNFPA launched its largest-ever humanitarian operation to help those fleeing armed conflict in Afghanistan. When earthquakes struck El Salvador in early 2001, leaving 2.1 million people homeless and destroying 23 of the country's 30 hospitals, UNFPA sent emergency supplies, equipment and medicine to ensure safe delivery.

While UNFPA is not able to respond to all requests for assistance, it provides selective and catalytic support in as many cases as possible. This limited support can be critical when no other organization offers UNFPA's expertise or when sensitive and critical reproductive health needs are overlooked.

Partnership is a priority for UNFPA, which endeavours to leverage limited resources to establish the services that vulnerable populations want and need. For a culturally sensitive and effective response, UNFPA invites the participation of the women, men and young people most directly affected.

The United Nations Population Fund works with governments, other United Nations agencies, foundations, the private sector and NGOs to establish the services that vulnerable populations want and need:

• Safe motherhood through clean delivery, reproductive health and emergency obstetric care;
• Family planning information and services;
• Prevention and treatment of reproductive tract and sexually transmitted infections;
• Prevention of HIV/AIDS;
• Adolescent health; and
• Prevention and treatment of sexual and gender-based violence.