SPRINT IV 2023 | The Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka

SPRINT IV 2023

During the years 2022-2023, the world witnessed an insurgence of natural disasters. From the massive floods in Pakistan, Brazil and Afghanistan to Storms in the Philippines to multiple incidents of deadly earthquakes in Turkey, Indonesia and Afghanistan, impact of natural disasters has heightened, which in turn resulted in humanitarian crises across the world. In addition to that, the increasing impact of climate change poses further threats of natural disasters and climate-related crises. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report of year 2023 was dominated by Climate Related risks, with Natural disasters and extreme weather events being major concerns. This is along with the imminent threat of new and emerging variants of the COVID-19 pandemic, a global economic recession, war and other man-made humanitarian crises that affect populations in many ways. In the Sri Lankan context, although the threat of COVID-19 infection has reduced, the effect of the economic crisis is still prominent. On top of that, different covid-19 variants are emerging, and due to changing weather events, illnesses such as dengue and malaria are also on the rise. Sri Lanka has also become victim to extreme weather events such as cyclones, low air quality and extreme heat during the past few months as a result of climate change. This is in addition to the monsoons, seasonal flash floods and landslides that the country grapples with every year. With the heightening threats of Climate Change, Sri Lanka is becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate-related disasters. The 2021 Global Climate Risk Index Report lists Sri Lanka in the 30th place among the countries most affected by extreme weather events in 2018-2020. Emergencies are unpredictable, particularly weather and climatic emergencies, which are showing a rapid increase. In times of emergencies, Sexual and Reproductive health needs become the least of the priorities in emergency response, despite the vulnerabilities posed by SRH-related issues during a crisis. The Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka is the implementing partner of the project Sexual and reproductive health PRogramme IN humaniTarian settings (SPRINT). SPRINT was designed to address gaps in the implementation of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health, which is a set of priority activities to be implemented at the onset of an emergency. SPRINT ensures access to essential lifesaving SRH services for women, men and children in times of crisis through six objectives; 1. Ensure the Health Sector/Cluster identifies an organization to lead the implementation of the MISP. 2. Prevent sexual violence and respond to the needs of survivors. 3. Prevent the transmission of and reduce morbidity and mortality due to HIV and other STIs. 4. Prevent excess maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. 5. Prevent unintended pregnancies. 6. Plan for comprehensive SRH services, integrated into primary health care as soon as possible. Work with the Health Sector/Cluster partners to address the six-health system building blocks The SPRINT IV 2023 is the 4th phase of the SPRINT project and the continuation of the project commenced in 2022. For the year 2023, Twenty-two activities are to be implemented under 3 core indicators; Advocacy and mitigation, Preparedness and Recovery. These activities include training programmes, development of policy documents and IEC/BCC materials, social media campaigns and disaster simulation exercises, targeting various stakeholders, including national, district and divisional level government officials, first-line disaster responders, members of key populations and FPASL staff.

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