At most times, discrimination and general lack of awareness hinder the ability of the humanitarian sector to support vulnerable groups in times of crisis.

People with disabilities are largely excluded from humanitarian response efforts. Shelters may not be accessible and aid workers not adequately trained.  This means that many people with disabilities do not receive the assistance they desperately need.

LGBT people too, often face discriminatory treatment in the delivery of humanitarian aid or services. For example, when responses are guided by processes that do not consider LGBT rights or views or where aid is delivered by homophobic, biphobic or transphobic persons.

With this reality in mind, a series of meetings took place.

Firstly a consultative meeting on LGBTIQ needs in emergencies was convened, where persons belonging to this community were asked to identify Sexual and Reproductive issues that they could face during emergencies and to provide recommendations to overcome such concerns.

Thereafter, a 2 day residential training programme on “MISP for SRH in emergencies for the LGBTIQ community” was conducted for 32 participants. The facilitators Dr Yakandawala (SPRINT Project Head and Director Medical –FPA Sri Lanka & Rangika Wickramage ( Assistant Director- Public Affairs, Policy and Advocacy  and FPA Sri Lanka SPRINT Project Coordinator.

Subsequently, the SPRINT Steering Committee Meeting took place on the 25th of May at FPA Sri Lanka Head Office. Discussions took place with regards to response and preparedness efforts to cater to the needs of differently abled persons and sexual minorities in emergency situations that could occur in Sri Lanka.

Participants comprised representatives from the Australian High Commission, World Health Organisation, The Ministry of Health, Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Women's & Child Affairs, UNFPA and The Sri Lanka Army together with Ms Keya Saha-Chaudhury from IPPF Bangkok Hub, Bhoomi Harendran and FPA Sri Lanka’s SPRINT Team.

IPPF-SPRINT implements The Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health, a standard for essential health services in times of crisis. MISP is a coordinated set of priority activities for reducing SRH-related illnesses and deaths in times of emergency. The SPRINT Initiative is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under Australian Government and managed by International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).