Sub-Working Group on Emergency Preparedness and Resilience
Advising humanitarian and development actors on preparing for conflict and natural disasters to mitigate their effects, and deliver life-saving sexual and reproductive health services.
Overview
The Emergency Preparedness and Resilience (EPR) Sub-Working Group is a dedicated group of IAWG members, who seek to support the integration of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) into the preparedness efforts of humanitarian and development actors to improve the delivery of life-saving aid during conflict and disaster.
Priority Objectives
- Build knowledge among global stakeholders about the critical role that sexual and reproductive health plays within any emergency response and the benefits of investing in sexual and reproductive health preparedness.
- Collectively identify needs, resources and gaps in the area of sexual and reproductive health preparedness.
- Identify and advocate for sexual and reproductive health preparedness actions among both humanitarian and development actors operating in contexts of instability.
- Forge partnerships across diverse actors (e.g. government, civil society, NGOs), and sectors working on preparedness and resilience building.
- Collaborate on the development and dissemination of pragmatic tools and related learnings that support sexual and reproductive health preparedness at country and organizational levels.
Leadership
- Women's Refugee Commission (WRC)
- MOMENTUM Integrated Health Resilience
Information for Current Members
Current members of the emergency preparedness and resilience sub-working group can ask to join the Google Group to attend meetings, share documents and learn more about the goals and ongoing efforts. Please note, only IAWG members at the steering or associate level may participate in Sub-Working Groups and must be accepted before they can access the Google Group. You must be logged in via a Google Account.
Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Resources
Ready to Save Lives Toolkit: Sexual and Reproductive Health Care in Emergencies
MISP Readiness Assessment (MRA): Assessing Readiness to Provide the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Emergencies
Social Capital and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Fiji: A Scoping Review of Humanitarian Preparedness and Response Planning and Guidance Documents
Social capital, the resources embedded in social networks, has been identified as a key determinant of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes, yet its role in crisis contexts, particularly in shaping access to sexual and reproductive services and influencing policy and planning, remains underexplored. This study examined the incorporation of social capital into policy and guidance documents related to women’s SRH services in humanitarian crises, specifically focusing on Fiji and the Pacific region. The findings underscore the importance of detailed guidance on leveraging existing social networks and understanding the nuanced nature of social capital and how it can impact SRH outcomes.
Policy Brief: Investing in targeted sexual and reproductive health and rights preparedness in Eastern and Southern Africa: A pathway to more resilient systems
To better understand the readiness of countries in Eastern and Southern Africa to respond to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs during emergencies, partners and governments under the 2gether 4 SRHR Programme engaged in 2022 with 22 countries of the region to conduct a Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) Readiness Assessment. This policy brief summarizes some of the findings of the assessment and provides key considerations to help strengthen the capacity to provide MISP and SRH services in emergency settings.
Collateral Damage: The Overlooked Reproductive Health Crisis in Conflict Zones
Conflict-affected regions face severe reproductive health challenges that disproportionately impact adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and children, who are especially vulnerable due to the breakdown of healthcare systems and limited access to essential services. This integrated approach provides actionable recommendations to improve the well-being of AGYW, children, and other vulnerable populations, fostering sustainable advancements in reproductive health outcomes.
No Matter When or Where: Addressing the Need for Continuous Family Planning Services During Shocks and Stressors
PROPEL Adapt, with FP2030 and WRC, recently published an article that emphasizes the critical need for uninterrupted access to family planning services amid escalating global crises, which disproportionately affect women, girls, and marginalized communities. The authors call on global, national, and local partners to strengthen emergency preparedness to facilitate continuous family planning services, no matter when or where they are needed, to support sexual and reproductive health.
Integration of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Humanitarian Issues in East and Southern Africa
This assessment examines the extent to which humanitarian and SRHR issues are integrated in regional and national humanitarian and SRHR frameworks in East and Southern Africa. This is one of two companion reports and focuses on the integration of SRHR issues into national humanitarian policies and strategies, as well as SRHR frameworks.