A recent underwater volcanic blast located about 65 kilometres north of Tonga‘s capital, Nuku’alofa, triggered a tsunami of up to 15 metres high and sent wave surges across the Pacific. IPPF Humanitarian has made contact with Tonga Family Health Association to establish the SRH needs of affected communities. SRH has been noted as a priority for the coming humanitarian response in UN OCHA Pacific.
Humanitarian responses are underway in Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti to the Tigray Crisis, which entered its second year in November 2021. A high number of cases of gender-based violence including gang-rape have been reported in the period of the conflict. The Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia, the Sudan Family Planning Association, and the Association Djiboutienne pour l’Equilibre et la Promotion de la Famille are providing SRH services to women who have fled the conflict.
Our COVID-19 responses in PNG and Nepal have recently finalised, with PNGFHA reaching a total of 18,541 beneficiaries with SRH and COVID-19 prevention messages. A total of 15,747 clients received clinical services . In Nepal, FPAN was successful in reaching a total of 113,189 beneficiaries with clinical services through the SPRINT COVID-19 response, exceeding the target by 39%. Just over 90% of the services provided were SRH, with the majority provided to women (71%). Their programming included reaching people with disabilities and ensuring sex workers received safe and compassionate care during the pandemic.
We also have ongoing Stream 3 responses in DRC, to assist populations displaced in Bukavu by the volcano eruption, in Mozambique, to the Cabo Delgado conflict, and a have launched a response in Ecuador to reach migrants and refugees from the nearby Venezuelan crisis. There is also a GAC funded response to the same crisis in Colombia. The German Government (BMZ) has provided funding to Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the Government of Japan has also provided funding to Iran and Afghanistan for humanitarian responses.
A reminder that MAs who are currently experiencing a protracted crisis, or who experience an acute crisis in the future, can apply for Stream 3 humanitarian funding. More information, including a Frequency Asked Questions document and details of the application process, can be viewed on the Stream 3 page of the MA Forum website here: https://maforum.ippf.org/stream-3/