The Province of Sudurpaschim, located in the Far West mountainous part of Nepal, is witnessing heavy flooding and landslides triggered by incessant rainfall, resulting in the loss of lives and displacement of people.

In response, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nepal, in partnership with provincial and local governments, is providing commodities and supplies including Reproductive Health (RH) Kits, dignity and Kishori kits to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of women and girls affected by the disaster. The RH Kits include drugs and supplies for Sexually Transmitted Infections, conducting deliveries, management of obstetric complications and rape treatment as well as contraceptives. Dignity and Kishori kits are designed to help maintain the menstrual and basic hygiene of a woman and girl, especially those most vulnerable and marginalized including pregnant and lactating women, during emergency situations.

UNFPA has provided 7 different sets of RH Kits, 462 Dignity Kits and 270 Kishori Kits to the displaced women and girls in Achcham, Kailali and Darchula districts of Sudurpaschim province.  These dignity kits contain geographically contextualized hygiene and protection related items coupled with Gender Based Violence prevention messages and referral pathways to reduce the vulnerability of women and girls to violence.

Speaking about UNFPA’s support, Country Representative, Young Hong stated, “During a crisis, women and girls are often more affected due to pre-existing gender inequalities with their sexual and reproductive health needs overlooked. Moreover, temporary homes and shelters put in place for affected communities may increase risks of gender-based violence. UNFPA is committed to ensure that we continue to support women and girls not just in Sudurpaschim, but in the broader context of Nepal, to ensure that Governments and key stakeholders remain ready to effectively respond to the needs of women and girls during a humanitarian crisis and beyond.”

UNFPA is also working with partners to support the Government of Nepal in assessing the medium and long term sexual and reproductive health needs during humanitarian emergencies to ensure that women and girls will continue to receive Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) including Gender Based Violence response services. UNFPA has been able to pre-position around 70 different sets of RH Kits, over 10,000 Dignity and Kishori Kits with support from the Government of Australia, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and European Union to mount an effective emergency response.