The event covered a breadth of areas related to self-care in humanitarian settings: self-care and the MISP, self-care and the humanitarian-development nexus, self-care for youth in humanitarian settings, research and metrics for self-care in humanitarian settings, and adapting self-care in humanitarian settings to the context.
#CARE EVERYWHERE SERIES#
An article published in Conflict and Health in April 2021 – Sexual and Reproductive Health Self-care in Humanitarian and Fragile Settings: Where Should We Start? – identifies self-care interventions that align with the well-established humanitarian standards, points to the potential of digital health support for SRH self-care in crisis-affected settings, and discusses potential policy, programmatic and research considerations for expanding and promoting self-care in humanitarian settings.īuilding off this paper, the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health in Crises, Vitala Global, and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) hosted an event titled Self-Care Everywhere as part of the Self-Care Learning and Discovery Series in August 2021.
#CARE EVERYWHERE MANUAL#
Though the 2018 Interagency Field Manual on Sexual and Reproductive Health in Emergencies makes reference to key self-care practices, the breadth and potential of self-care in emergencies is not fully captured. Some examples that align with the MISP include essential newborn care practices such as thermal care and breastfeeding, self-administration of WHO recommended contraception options, and self-management of medication abortion. The World Health Organization defines self-care as the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider. In humanitarian settings, self-care offers an important opportunity to ensure access to essential SRH services, even amidst a strained health system. Crises overwhelm and disrupt healthcare systems, significantly impacting health facilities, service delivery, stock of essential medications, and overall access to lifesaving care. Yet, barriers to providing and accessing SRH services still exist. Prioritization and coverage of SRH services in these settings has increased in the past few decades with achievements such as the Sphere Handbook’s recognition of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH as the global standard in humanitarian response. However, SRH related conditions are among the principal causes of death and ill-health among women of reproductive age worldwide and an estimated 61% of maternal deaths occur in countries experiencing fragility and crisis. All individuals, regardless of their background or current situation, have the right to make their own choices about their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and access these essential services. At least half of those in need are women and girls, and a quarter are of reproductive age (15-49). In 2021, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that 1 in 33 people worldwide are in need of humanitarian assistance, a shocking increase from 1 in every 45 people in 2020. *All authors are members of the Inter-agency Working Group for Reproductive Health in Crisis (IAWG) Foster (University of Ottawa), and Andrea Edman (IAWG/IRC) Authors: Erin Wheeler (IRC), Roopan Gill (Vitala Global), Hannah Tappis (Jhpiego), Angel M.
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