Sexual Reproductive Health and Gender-Based Violence response to COVID-19 – IRC – Yemen - 2021

April 2021 – The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic defines global health crisis of modern times with over 2 000 000 recorded deaths worldwide. In countries already experiencing humanitarian crises or with highly vulnerable populations COVID-19 has placed even more pressure on essential services infrastructure and systems. It has also resulted in adverse effects on women and girls’ provision and use of health and protection services. With GAC’s support the International Rescue Committee (IRC) provides protection and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) support to over 67 000 refugees and vulnerable people in Yemen. Project activities include: (1) providing prompt and effective treatment to children for communicable and non-communicable diseases; (2) training and motivating health workers to provide curative consultations; (3) screening and treating children aged 0-59 months for malnutrition; (4) providing emergency obstetrics and neonatal care centres with medical equipment and personal protective equipment; (5) providing SRHR services and information to women and girls at community and facility levels; (6) providing clinical care for survivors of sexual assault referrals for gender-based violence (GBV) case management and referrals for focused psychosocial support for survivors or those at risk of GBV; and (7) disseminating information through sessions on SRHR issues and the GBV response services available for targeted communities.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to quality primary health care services; (2) increased protection from and treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases and malnutrition for children and adults; (3) increased access to quality reproductive health services; and (4) increased protection from and treatment for complications of pregnancy and childbirth for women and girls. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.