This report draws on the successes of the Ahlan Simsim initiative—the largest early childhood development intervention in the history of humanitarian response—reaching millions of children and caregivers across the Middle East with the support they need to learn, grow and thrive. Experts involved with Ahlan Simsim have outlined crucial learnings and recommendations for what it takes to deliver innovative solutions in the most complex settings and to sustain impact for children.
This tool has been developed to support the integration of GBV and SRH interventions in humanitarian settings within the Arab region. Aimed at GBV and SRH service providers and program managers, it facilitates the initiation, strengthening, or scaling up of integrated approaches. Rather than prescribing a standardised approach, the tool emphasises the importance of tailoring interventions to specific contexts. It shares promising practices, identifies potential obstacles, and offers practical tips for overcoming challenges associated with integrated GBV and SRH approaches.
'What works' to ensure persons with disabilities have access to sexual and reproductive health services
WISH4ResultsA growing body of evidence shows that people with disabilities have historically been denied their sexual and reproductive health rights, despite having the same sexual and reproductive health needs as people without disabilities, and continue to face many barriers to accessing these lifesaving services. This interactive evidence gap map, developed as part of the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme, collates evidence on ‘what works’ to enable access to sexual reproductive health services for persons with disabilities in low and middle-income countries.
Examining Maternal and Newborn Health in Conflict-Affected Contexts: Country Profiles
EQUAL Research ConsortiumThe EQUAL research consortium is working to generate evidence on effective approaches to deliver life-saving maternal and newborn health (MNH) care in countries affected by conflict including in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Somalia, and South Sudan. These are also four countries experiencing among the poorest MNH outcomes worldwide. This information has been documented in four MNH Country profiles which will be updated annually.
Prioritization of Maternal and Newborn Health in Conflict-Affected Contexts
EQUAL Research ConsortiumTo examine these complexities, the EQUAL research consortium conducted political economy analyses in Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria, and DRC with an additional policy study completed at the global level. Employing a shared conceptual framework known as the health policy triangle, these studies investigated the political, economic, and health system influences on maternal and newborn health (MNH) prioritization amidst crisis and conflict. Utilizing a single-case descriptive design, each study leveraged desk reviews and key informant interviews to gain deeper insights into MNH policies, processes, content, and actor dynamics in each context.
Rapid Assessment of Midwifery Education in Somalia and Northeast Nigeria
EQUAL Research ConsortiumIn response to the critical gap in evidence regarding midwifery education programs in low-income, conflict-affected regions, the Somali Research and Development Institute (SORDI), Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health, and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) conducted rapid assessments of midwifery pre-service education in Yobe State, Nigeria, and in the Banaadir and Galguduud regions of Somalia. Findings revealed disparities between the two contexts, with Nigerian schools meeting a higher percentage of standards compared to those in Somalia. Gaps, particularly in leadership, infrastructure, and resources, were identified in Somalia, while Nigeria faced challenges in staffing, preceptor capacity, and support for faculty and clinical practice sites.
Disability, childhood experiences of violence and associated health outcomes in refugee settlements in Uganda
George Odwe et.al.,Against the backdrop of limited research on the linkage between disability and childhood violence in humanitarian settings, and the poorly understood health consequences, the researchers examined the prevalence of childhood sexual, physical, and emotional violence by disability status among females and males aged 13–24 years with and without disabilities in refugee settings in Uganda.
The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) is a patient safety tool that consolidates essential birth practices to prevent the major causes of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. The tool has been implemented in the southern regions of Mali, with demonstrable results.
Supplemental Guide to the 2020 Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Toolkit in Humanitarian Settings for Youth-led Organizations
IAWG Sub-Working Group on Adolescents Sexual and Reproductive Health and RightsThe supplemental guide to the 2020 Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) Toolkit for Humanitarian Settings is specially tailored for youth-led organizations (YLOs), in response to feedback received during the revision process for the 2020 ASRH Toolkit.
The HRP Statistics Portal Working Group has launched a new video series aimed at strengthening capacity in statistical and data management considerations to enhance planning for public health research, including sexual and reproductive health research. The first two videos in the series are now available, focusing on research question formulation and data management plan development.
Baseline Findings of the Self-Efficacy and Knowledge (SEEK) Trial: Improving family planning, sexual reproductive health, and wellbeing among Syrian refugee women and girls in Lebanon
Dr. Shadi Saleh and Dr. Veloshnee GovenderThis document outlines the baseline findings of a trial aimed at improving family planning, sexual reproductive health, and wellbeing among Syrian refugee women and girls in Lebanon. This community-based randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate a low-resource/low-intensity integrated sexual reproductive health and wellbeing intervention package. It will be delivered in Primary Healthcare Centres in a rural area in Lebanon to Syrian refugee women and girls aged 15-24 and includes a process and outcome.
The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (HDPN) and Applications to Family Planning, Reproductive Health, and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Interventions in Fragile Settings: A Case Study from South Sudan
MOMENTUM Integrated Health ResilienceThis report examines the humanitarian-development nexus and its application to health interventions in South Sudan, specifically family planning, reproductive health, and maternal, newborn, and child health (FP/RH/MNCH), concluding with recommendations for stakeholders related to health services, institutional architecture, leadership, financing, coordination, and localization.