January 27, 2015| New Delhi/Kenya: The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) through the SPRINT Initiative, is providing crucial sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to South Sudanese refugees in Gambella Region, Ethiopia.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), data dated January 8, 2016, more than 230,000 South Sudanese refuges are currently displaced in refugee camps in Gambella, Ethiopia. More than 30,000 refugees are also residing within host communities.
According to the UNHCR, 70% of the total number of refugees are women aged from 15 – 49 years, and children under the age of 5 years. The influx of refugees due to civil unrest in South Sudan has increased the pressure on health and medical facilities in the camps. There is an immediate need to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable.
IPPF’s Africa Regional Office (ARO) through its implementing partner- International Medical Corps (IMC), will provide a wide array of SRH, psychosocial and gender based violence counselling and services to the affected population.
“IPPF-SPRINT will reach out to the affected population in the Pugnido II and Jewi Refugee Camps in the Gambella Regional State, Ethiopia. The Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) will be implemented to reduce excess maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, along with providing HIV/STI interventions, psychosocial counselling and tend to GBV victims,” said Lucien Kouakou, Regional Director, IPPF-ARO.
“This humanitarian response is funded by the Australian Government. IPPF-SPRINT and IMC will work closely with the Ethiopian Government and various other stakeholders and partners, including the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA), UNHCR, International Rescue Committee (IRC), UNFPA and the Rehabilitation & Development Organization (RaDO), and will set up clinics in Pugnido II and Jewi Refugee Camps,” said Aditi Ghosh, Director, IPPF-SPRINT.
The funding of USD$35,000 will deliver services to over 97,000 beneficiaries. The interventions will focus on establishing systems for protection and capacity building of health facility staff, healthcare providers and partners. The objectives of this humanitarian assistance is to enhance emergency community-based SRH support for refugees in the camp; to build the capacity of health facilities and health workers to provide quality SRH services for refugees; to enhance access to case management and psychosocial services for GBV survivors and other vulnerable women and girls in the camps; to improve key healthcare services for GBV survivors through capacity building of health facilities; and to identify and adequately treat patients with mental health issues and enhance overall mental health care.
Focal Point Contact:
Martin Migombano, Programme Advisor-Humanitarian, IPPF-SPRINT ARO Office: mmigombano@ippfar.org
Murali Kunduru, Emergency Response Manager, IPPF-SPRINT Global Hub: mkunduru@ippfsar.org
Media Contact: Debanjana Choudhuri: dchoudhuri@ippfsar.org
The SPRINT Initiative is a Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) Programme in crisis and post-crisis situations. SPRINT ensures access to essential lifesaving SRH services for women, men and children in times of crises, a time when services are most needed yet are not prioritised or recognised by key humanitarian responders.
The SPRINT Initiative saves lives and delivers on behalf of the Australian Government aid program (DFAT: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), which aims to provide more effective preparedness for and response to disasters and crises.
The Initiative is managed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and represents its commitment to increasing access to SRH services for crisis-affected populations. The International Planned Parenthood Federation is a global service provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. It is a worldwide movement of national organisations working with and for communities and individuals.