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Fiji

Articles by Fiji

Male IPPF client, Fiji

Help across the generations

Cyclone Winston, which devastated Fiji, was the strongest to ever hit the South Pacific. IPPF’s humanitarian response there was carried out with our Member Association, the Reproductive Family Health Association of Fiji, and is part of our SPRINT Initiative, funded by the Australian Government. My name is Atunaisa Rayasi. I am 65-years-old and I live in the village of Natalecake, with my son, daughter-in-law and their three children. During the storm the branch of the mango tree broke off and it hit the roof which was damaged. The roof stayed intact but was damaged so everything got drenched. The children were really scared. In my room the roofing iron came out and blew away. We can still see the watermark over there on the wall, where a dark patch marks out the spot where the rains hit. Even though the house was badly damaged, I actually found it far more difficult later, when I wanted to get to the hospital to see a doctor. After the cyclone, the road to the hospital was destroyed completely. We only got to the hospital after three weeks. I had to ask my son to get a car. There were so many other people there. I had to sit in a queue and wait for my number to be called up. You get there in the morning and the number gets called at 2pm. I am not able to leave home often, so I wasn't amongst those in the village hall when the NGOs (non-governmental organisations) came around. My daughter-in-law, who was pregnant at the time, received assistance from IPPF. She got some help with the buckets which helped the whole family. We were able to store fresh drinking water inside.   Stories Read more stories about our work in Fiji after the Cyclone Winston

Thumbnail from video: Mothers in Fiji can now access contraception.
01 April 2017

Discovering family planning by surviving Cyclone Winston, Fiji

For many mothers in Fiji, the IPPF outreach established after the Cyclone Winston were the first place where they heard about family planning. They can now decide how many children they want.  Read more stories 

thumbnail from video: A pregnant mother's story during Cyclone Winston, Fiji
01 April 2017

A pregnant mother's story during Cyclone Winston, Fiji

Sulueti was pregnant when the Cyclone Winston hit Fiji. Thanks to IPPF, she received all the essential care and supplies she needed for her pregnancy.  Meet all the mothers and community leaders

thumbnail from video -Ending gender-based violence in Fiji
01 April 2017

Ending gender-based violence: Rebuilding Fiji after Cyclone Winston

Gender-based violence is endemic in Fiji. IPPF staff and community leaders are working to eradicate it.   "I just tell my community: it's time to change." Meet the people behind this change  

thumbnail from video - IPPF staff in Fiji after Cyclone Winston
01 April 2017

IPPF's humanitarian heroes: Cyclone Winston Fiji

When Cyclone Winston hit Fiji, the government was not prepared to ensure sexual, reproductive and maternal health care to the affected population. IPPF staff stepped in to support young people, pregnant women, new mothers.   Meet these heroes and their clients

IPPF helps near this destroyed house after Cyclone Winston, Fiji
18 March 2017

Emergency response as Cyclone Winston hits Fiji, 2016

When Cyclone Winston hit Fiji in February 2016 there was extensive damage on many islands, 44 people were left dead. A state of emergency was declared on February 20th and stayed in place for 60 days. Meet the pregnant mothers and community leaders that we helped when crisis hit

IPPF Humanitarian - Australian Aid logos

Supporting women during humanitarian crisis

The Australian Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (APGPD) welcomes the commitment by the Australian Government to continue funding the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s work with women during humanitarian crises. Over 800 women and girls are dying every day from complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Three in five preventable maternal deaths occur in conflict, displacement and natural disasters. When disasters hit we must not forget women still need access to safe birthing spaces, family planning services, and protection against sexual violence. Since commencing in 2007 the IPPF SPRINT (Sexual and Reproductive Health Program in Crisis and Post-Crisis Settings) initiative has supported over 890,000 people through times of disaster including in Fiji, Nepal and Vanuatu. The APGPD is pleased to see the Australian Government continuing to support women in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. While other countries are pulling back and leaving women and children vulnerable it is vital Australia continues to show global leadership focused on gender equality. Access to reproductive health services is a key component of women’s empowerment, with better health outcomes leading to better education and economic outcomes for all. The Australian Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (APGPD) is a cross-party group of parliamentarians who work collaboratively to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment globally. The APGPD was established in 1995 as part of a global network of parliamentary groups and is a member of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development.

IPPF-SPRINT staff distributing dignity kits
05 April 2016

Fiji update

One month on the Cyclone Winston hit Fiji, IPPF-SPRINT is still providing sexual, reproductive and maternal care to cyclone-affected population. 

Reproductive & Family Health Association of Fiji

The Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji (RFHAF) was inaugurated in June 1996. It has played a key role in shaping national family planning policy and in promoting sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education, particularly among young people and communities in which myths about the dangers of family planning prevail. The use of contraceptives is still believed by many to cause cancer and immature childbirth.

RFHAF has also undertaken concerted national advocacy work (with a particular emphasis on HIV and AIDS) through its involvement with the National Advisory Committee on AIDS and the country co-ordinating mechanism. As such, it played a critical role in securing the HIV Prevention and Treatment Decree which outlaws discrimination, promotes counselling, testing and reporting, assures confidentiality, and legislates on the supply of blood products.

The organization’s committed promotion of wider awareness of SRH issues is changing attitudes, and as attitudes change, uptake of services increase.

Fiji

Emergency update from Fiji

One month on from Cyclone Winston, IPPF has helped hundreds of families, including new mothers and pregnant women. Thousands of people are disaplaced and 43 have now been confirmed dead in the worst tropical super-storm to have ever hit the Pacific.  IPPF’s humanitarian wing, the SPRINT Initiative, is solely funded by the Australian Government to provide life-saving sexual and reproductive health services following a humanitarian crisis. The Australian Government provided an additional AUD $100,000 to ensure SPRINT could respond to the worst affected populations.   IPPF’s assistance includes distributing hygiene and dignity kits to pregnant women and new mothers, providing maternal and neonatal healthcare, providing family planning and prevention programs to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.  There has been an urgent need to respond to the immediate sexual and reproductive health needs of communities, specifically vulnerable groups such as pregnant and lactating women and women & girls at risk of gender-based violence. In crisis settings rates of gender-based violence drastically increase, and SPRINT has provided survivors with emergency care and services. IPPF-SPRINT has reproductive health missions in the provinces of Nataleira, Natalecake, Vadravadra. The Ministry of Health, under the Fiji Government, has also committed their medical staff to IPPF's medical camps. A key partner to the humanitarian repsonse is IPPF's local member association, the Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji (RFHAF). The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Julie Bishop paid a visit to IPPF-SPRINT’s SRH mission in early March to observe the work of the Australian-funded response. The Minister also distributed hygiene kits to the affected population in Rakiraki hospital in western Fiji. Apart from providing key sexual reproductive services, IPPF-SPRINT is also providing basic medical assistance to those affected.  

Male IPPF client, Fiji

Help across the generations

Cyclone Winston, which devastated Fiji, was the strongest to ever hit the South Pacific. IPPF’s humanitarian response there was carried out with our Member Association, the Reproductive Family Health Association of Fiji, and is part of our SPRINT Initiative, funded by the Australian Government. My name is Atunaisa Rayasi. I am 65-years-old and I live in the village of Natalecake, with my son, daughter-in-law and their three children. During the storm the branch of the mango tree broke off and it hit the roof which was damaged. The roof stayed intact but was damaged so everything got drenched. The children were really scared. In my room the roofing iron came out and blew away. We can still see the watermark over there on the wall, where a dark patch marks out the spot where the rains hit. Even though the house was badly damaged, I actually found it far more difficult later, when I wanted to get to the hospital to see a doctor. After the cyclone, the road to the hospital was destroyed completely. We only got to the hospital after three weeks. I had to ask my son to get a car. There were so many other people there. I had to sit in a queue and wait for my number to be called up. You get there in the morning and the number gets called at 2pm. I am not able to leave home often, so I wasn't amongst those in the village hall when the NGOs (non-governmental organisations) came around. My daughter-in-law, who was pregnant at the time, received assistance from IPPF. She got some help with the buckets which helped the whole family. We were able to store fresh drinking water inside.   Stories Read more stories about our work in Fiji after the Cyclone Winston

Thumbnail from video: Mothers in Fiji can now access contraception.
01 April 2017

Discovering family planning by surviving Cyclone Winston, Fiji

For many mothers in Fiji, the IPPF outreach established after the Cyclone Winston were the first place where they heard about family planning. They can now decide how many children they want.  Read more stories 

thumbnail from video: A pregnant mother's story during Cyclone Winston, Fiji
01 April 2017

A pregnant mother's story during Cyclone Winston, Fiji

Sulueti was pregnant when the Cyclone Winston hit Fiji. Thanks to IPPF, she received all the essential care and supplies she needed for her pregnancy.  Meet all the mothers and community leaders

thumbnail from video -Ending gender-based violence in Fiji
01 April 2017

Ending gender-based violence: Rebuilding Fiji after Cyclone Winston

Gender-based violence is endemic in Fiji. IPPF staff and community leaders are working to eradicate it.   "I just tell my community: it's time to change." Meet the people behind this change  

thumbnail from video - IPPF staff in Fiji after Cyclone Winston
01 April 2017

IPPF's humanitarian heroes: Cyclone Winston Fiji

When Cyclone Winston hit Fiji, the government was not prepared to ensure sexual, reproductive and maternal health care to the affected population. IPPF staff stepped in to support young people, pregnant women, new mothers.   Meet these heroes and their clients

IPPF helps near this destroyed house after Cyclone Winston, Fiji
18 March 2017

Emergency response as Cyclone Winston hits Fiji, 2016

When Cyclone Winston hit Fiji in February 2016 there was extensive damage on many islands, 44 people were left dead. A state of emergency was declared on February 20th and stayed in place for 60 days. Meet the pregnant mothers and community leaders that we helped when crisis hit

IPPF Humanitarian - Australian Aid logos

Supporting women during humanitarian crisis

The Australian Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (APGPD) welcomes the commitment by the Australian Government to continue funding the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s work with women during humanitarian crises. Over 800 women and girls are dying every day from complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Three in five preventable maternal deaths occur in conflict, displacement and natural disasters. When disasters hit we must not forget women still need access to safe birthing spaces, family planning services, and protection against sexual violence. Since commencing in 2007 the IPPF SPRINT (Sexual and Reproductive Health Program in Crisis and Post-Crisis Settings) initiative has supported over 890,000 people through times of disaster including in Fiji, Nepal and Vanuatu. The APGPD is pleased to see the Australian Government continuing to support women in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. While other countries are pulling back and leaving women and children vulnerable it is vital Australia continues to show global leadership focused on gender equality. Access to reproductive health services is a key component of women’s empowerment, with better health outcomes leading to better education and economic outcomes for all. The Australian Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (APGPD) is a cross-party group of parliamentarians who work collaboratively to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment globally. The APGPD was established in 1995 as part of a global network of parliamentary groups and is a member of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development.

IPPF-SPRINT staff distributing dignity kits
05 April 2016

Fiji update

One month on the Cyclone Winston hit Fiji, IPPF-SPRINT is still providing sexual, reproductive and maternal care to cyclone-affected population. 

Reproductive & Family Health Association of Fiji

The Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji (RFHAF) was inaugurated in June 1996. It has played a key role in shaping national family planning policy and in promoting sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education, particularly among young people and communities in which myths about the dangers of family planning prevail. The use of contraceptives is still believed by many to cause cancer and immature childbirth.

RFHAF has also undertaken concerted national advocacy work (with a particular emphasis on HIV and AIDS) through its involvement with the National Advisory Committee on AIDS and the country co-ordinating mechanism. As such, it played a critical role in securing the HIV Prevention and Treatment Decree which outlaws discrimination, promotes counselling, testing and reporting, assures confidentiality, and legislates on the supply of blood products.

The organization’s committed promotion of wider awareness of SRH issues is changing attitudes, and as attitudes change, uptake of services increase.

Fiji

Emergency update from Fiji

One month on from Cyclone Winston, IPPF has helped hundreds of families, including new mothers and pregnant women. Thousands of people are disaplaced and 43 have now been confirmed dead in the worst tropical super-storm to have ever hit the Pacific.  IPPF’s humanitarian wing, the SPRINT Initiative, is solely funded by the Australian Government to provide life-saving sexual and reproductive health services following a humanitarian crisis. The Australian Government provided an additional AUD $100,000 to ensure SPRINT could respond to the worst affected populations.   IPPF’s assistance includes distributing hygiene and dignity kits to pregnant women and new mothers, providing maternal and neonatal healthcare, providing family planning and prevention programs to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.  There has been an urgent need to respond to the immediate sexual and reproductive health needs of communities, specifically vulnerable groups such as pregnant and lactating women and women & girls at risk of gender-based violence. In crisis settings rates of gender-based violence drastically increase, and SPRINT has provided survivors with emergency care and services. IPPF-SPRINT has reproductive health missions in the provinces of Nataleira, Natalecake, Vadravadra. The Ministry of Health, under the Fiji Government, has also committed their medical staff to IPPF's medical camps. A key partner to the humanitarian repsonse is IPPF's local member association, the Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji (RFHAF). The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Julie Bishop paid a visit to IPPF-SPRINT’s SRH mission in early March to observe the work of the Australian-funded response. The Minister also distributed hygiene kits to the affected population in Rakiraki hospital in western Fiji. Apart from providing key sexual reproductive services, IPPF-SPRINT is also providing basic medical assistance to those affected.