80,000 people, including 1,230 pregnant women, need humanitarian assistance after the devastating earthquake in Vanuatu.
“It pains me to see this vibrant country battered by yet another natural disaster,” says Dr. Natalia Kanem, who recently visited the Pacific island.
See how UNFPA—the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency—is taking action.
Initial reports indicate that women in evacuation centers and host communities are experiencing acute needs, for which the MoH requires essential supplies and RH services. Many health facilities and birthing clinics have been destroyed and damaged, with limited access to life-saving maternal and neonatal health services. Violence against women has also been confirmed in the Vanuatu Women’s Counseling Center monitoring missions in Shefa as well as in reports from the medical staff. In addition, the MIRA has indicated high rates of psychosocial distress among the population.
When disaster strikes, UNFPA ensures that the reproductive health needs and protection concerns of women and girls are integrated into emergency responses. One of the ways in which UNFPA supports women and girls in the aftermath of natural disasters is by providing ‘dignity kits’. See what UNFPA includes in its dignity kits.
As part of the Vanuatu Flash Appeal launched on 24 March 2015 in Port Vila, seeking US$29.9 million for humanitarian operations for the next 3 months, UNFPA received an initial allocation of CERF funds for $225,000 of the total requested $680,000. This will meet the life saving sexual and reproductive health and protection needs of women and young girls.