Health care providers, gender institutions, national disaster agencies and civil society organizations in four Caribbean countries have benefited from a workshop on how to respond to the reproductive health needs of affected populations during emergencies. The countries targeted included Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The training was conducted across four countries and participants were taught about the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for integrated Reproductive Health, HIV and Gender-Based Violence prevention and response in disasters. The aim is to strengthen their humanitarian outreach during times of crisis.

The MISP is a coordinated set of activities designed to prevent and manage the consequences of sexual violence; prevent the transmission of and reduce morbidity and mortality due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STIs); prevent new-born and maternal morbidity and mortality; prevent unintended pregnancies and  plan for comprehensive RH services. Additional priority activities included Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, access to contraception for existing users and distribution of dignity kits.

The objective of the training sessions was to improve the preparedness of stakeholders to respond to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender-Based Violence needs in humanitarian settings, also considering the COVID-19 context.  The Minimum Initial Service Package should be implemented in the initial phase of an emergency.
This training is a result of a collaboration between the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), with funding from the World Bank financed OECS Regional Health Project.