Following the recent series of natural disasters in Asia and the Pacific, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is providing humanitarian assistance in affected countries throughout the region. As part of the coordinated United Nations response and working through local partners, the Fund is primarily addressing reproductive health needs, particularly those of displaced pregnant women.
Indonesia. UNFPA is actively helping the three districts in West Sumatra most affected by last week's three deadly earthquakes, working closely with local officials and the Indonesia Midwives Association. The Fund estimates that 30,000 women need immediate assistance for reproductive health needs and psychosocial counseling. UNFPA is working to provide midwives with supplies they need to ensure clean deliveries. Hospitals will receive essential equipment and supplies for emergency obstetric and neonatal care. With help from the Indonesian Women Coalition and the provincial Women's Empowerment Agency, the Fund has begun to provide personal hygiene kits to expectant mothers and those who have recently delivered as well as to other displaced women. UNFPA also plans to support psychosocial counseling in 15 health centers and two hospitals.
Philippines. A UNFPA assessment found that Tropical Storm Ketsana interrupted reproductive health services in eight affected areas, leaving pregnant women without antenatal care and iron supplements. On 5 October, midwives from the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines and the Government conducted prenatal checkups in six Taguig City schools sheltering 11,500 people displaced by metro-Manila's worst flooding in four decades. They found 163 pregnant women in the shelters; three women had already given birth there without the aid of skilled birth attendants. Volunteers from the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines distributed hygiene kits. The medical team plans to visit at least 60 more evacuation centers in the next few days.