Focus on vulnerable populations
KATHMANDU, July 10
Nepal will observe the World Population Day tomorrow as it is progressively recovering from devastating earthquakes.
A press statement issued by Giulia Vallese, Representative, United Nations Population Fund in Nepal, said the World Population Day is more than ever relevant to the country and the day this year is dedicated to ‘Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies’, a crucial theme for Nepal which is going through an intensive recovery process after the country was shaken by the April 25 earthquake, followed by a series of traumatising and destructive aftershocks. “When a disaster strikes, women, children, senior citizens and people living with disabilities are among the most vulnerable population, an issue Nepal relates to in particular in this difficult year. Eight million people, alone in the 14 most-affected districts, were struck, including 1.5 million women of reproductive age,” she said in the statement, adding, “Under normal conditions, reproductive health complications are already a leading cause of death and illness among women of childbearing age and therefore they tend to increase drastically on the onset of a humanitarian crisis.”
With damaged health institutions and disrupted health and reproductive health services such as lack of skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care, many women, especially pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and adolescent girls are facing increased health risks in the earthquake-affected districts.
The recently released Post Disaster Needs Assessment Report strongly confirms that the most vulnerable people in time of emergencies are more likely to endure the consequences of a crisis such as gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, HIV infection, human trafficking, child marriage or even unwanted pregnancies. Globally, an estimated one in five women and adolescent girls are likely to be pregnant in humanitarian situations.
In the aftermath of a disaster, provisions of water, sanitation, food, tents and housing are automatically delivered while specific and essential needs for women and girls are often overlooked. Providing immediate sexual reproductive health support to women and girls should also be integrated in the first aid relief package.
“In addition, many women survivors become heads of household, with the sole responsibility of caring for their children. They often have to overcome immense obstacles to provide health and care for children, the sick, the injured and the elderly, and bear the heaviest burden of relief and reconstruction. As a result, they may neglect their own needs as they care for others,” Vallese said.
Therefore this year’s World Population Day’s focus on ‘Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies’ is intended to highlight the special needs of women and adolescent girls affected by the earthquake in Nepal, UNFPA informed.
UNFPA has been providing obstetric and contraceptive supplies, dignity kits, female friendly spaces, trained personnel to prevent and attend to gender-based violence and reproductive health to vulnerable populations in the affected districts.
“We are engaging with Nepali youth in empowering the earthquake-affected young people by providing stress counselling and information services on sexual and reproductive health including family planning, gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS, leadership and entrepreneurship skills. By addressing women’s and adolescent girls’ needs, UNFPA is aiming at ensuring their access to sexual and reproductive health rights as strengthening their safety during a humanitarian crisis,” Vallese informed.
Fast facts
- Eight million people, alone in the 14 most-affected districts, were affected when the devastating quake hit the country on April 25
- Among them are 1.5 million women of reproductive age
- With damaged health institutions and disrupted health and reproductive health services, many women, especially pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and adolescent girls are facing increased health risks
- Vulnerable people in time of emergencies are more likely to endure the consequences of a crisis such as gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, HIV infection, human trafficking, child marriage or even unwanted pregnancies
- In the aftermath of a disaster, provisions of water, sanitation, food, tents and housing are automatically delivered while specific and essential needs for women and girls are often overlooked. Sexual reproductive health support to women and girls should also be integrated in the relief package
READ ALSO:
