During emergencies, protection and security mechanisms are affected, and women and girls face an even greater risk of experiencing gender-based violence, including sexual violence. Depending on the context of the emergency, health services could be interrupted, collapse, run out of supplies or be destroyed, and sexual and reproductive health services take a backseat and are not prioritized against other urgent health or non-health needs, such as food and shelter, even when the need for SRH services continue. 

Strengthening national and local capacities and enhancing coordination among the various actors involved in SRH, GBV and emergency management is therefore urgent, as already disproportionately vulnerable women and girls are in danger of falling further behind. This means ensuring the integration of MISP in emergency preparedness plans as well as improving health system readiness to maintain reasonable levels of SRH services during emergencies.

To address this key issue, UNFPA conducted over a period of two weeks in January, a MISP Readiness Assessment (MRA) and implemented a MISP Training of Trainers workshop for delivery of systematic MISP capacity-building interventions in Belize. This process was led by MISP and MRA expert, Dr. Idowu Araoyinbo.

A two-day workshop with participants of key local and sub-national actors was conducted in each of the four health regions. Day one of the workshop was focused primarily on sensitizing participants on the MISP while day two was centered on assessing the level of preparedness of respective regions to implement the MISP for SRH interventions during an emergency situation, with the aim of providing an overview the entire country’s readiness and capacity, as well as identifying and prioritizing key areas that require further investment to strengthen SRH service delivery.

The workshops brought together a total of 78 participants operating in health, emergency management, social welfare, community services, protection and youth participation and development.

After completing two training days, a total of 15 professionals, including 8 from the Public Health system were trained as trainers in the strategy of the MISP. This training provided a series of basic techniques necessary for the processes and functions of facilitation and learning of the MISP, as well as a series of key tools that guarantee the assertive, effective and efficient replica of the MISP training.

MISP, which stands for Minimum Initial Service Package, is a set of priority and coordinated activities aimed at saving lives, which are implemented from the beginning of an emergency or major crisis. The MISP promotes the exercise of the fundamental right to health in contexts of emergencies, disasters and social crises; and is aimed at improving and strengthening access to priority sexual and reproductive health services and supplies, under a rights, gender and cultural relevance approach, mainly for the most vulnerable women and girls affected by emergencies. The aim of MISP is to ensure equitable coverage of services during crises and in a prolonged recovery period.