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12th of March, 2025 – A new project titled “Meeting the Urgent Needs of Marginalised Populations in Crisis-Affected Provinces through Provision of Quality Reproductive and Maternal Child Health Services” has been launched. Funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the Afghan Family Guidance Association (AFGA), an IPPF Member Association, the project aims to improve access to essential reproductive and maternal health services for vulnerable populations in Afghanistan's crisis-affected provinces.  With ongoing challenges from natural disasters, internal displacement, and a fragile healthcare system, comprehensive reproductive and maternal health services in Afghanistan are urgently needed. The project will focus on Logar and Parwan provinces, where communities continue to face significant barriers to accessing vital maternal, newborn, and reproductive healthcare.  This initiative will provide high-quality, clinic-based services, including safe delivery care, prenatal and postnatal services, and psychosocial support services (PSS). In addition to clinical care, the project will focus on community outreach and capacity-building programs, empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.  Key activities and expected outcomes include:  Strengthening 21 health centres in Logar and Parwan provinces to provide essential reproductive and maternal care services. This will benefit over 40,000 people, with an estimated 120,000 health services delivered to the local population.    Comprehensive reproductive and maternal health services including prenatal and postnatal care for over 2,500 pregnant women, ensuring healthy pregnancies and deliveries. Safe deliveries will take place at Family Health Houses, ensuring the health and safety of mothers and babies.    Breast and cervical cancer screening and referrals for over 30,000 women.    Psychosocial support through counselling and mental health services.    Community outreach and education to raise awareness on reproductive health and rights and family planning.   Training local healthcare providers to improve their skills in reproductive healthcare, maternal care, and other essential services - enhancing the overall quality of care provided.  H.E. Mr. KUROMIYA Takayoshi, the Ambassador of Japan to Afghanistan, commented, “In Afghanistan, communities affected by crises need urgent access to essential maternal and reproductive health services. This project reflects Japan’s continued dedication to supporting those most severely affected to ensure leaving no one behind.”  Dr. Abdul Qayum Azeemi of AFGA, said, “The health of women and children in Afghanistan has always been at the heart of our work. This project will not only provide life-saving maternal and reproductive health services, but it will also help strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in the regions most affected by crises. Together with Japan’s support, we can ensure that those facing the greatest challenges have access to the care they need for a healthier future.”  Valerie Dourdin, IPPF Global Humanitarian Director, added, “For years, women and girls in Afghanistan have faced significant barriers to accessing essential health services. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we increase our support. This project will provide life-saving care, offering these communities the health services they so urgently need.”  --- About AFGA  The Afghan Family Guidance Association (AFGA) is an NGO that advocates for reproductive health and rights and provides quality maternal and reproductive health services across Afghanistan. AFGA is committed to empowering individuals to make informed decisions regarding their health, particularly in underserved and vulnerable communities.    About IPPF  The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate for reproductive health and rights. Established in 1952, in India, IPPF operates in over 146 countries through its network of autonomous member associations.   

The unmet need for contraceptives is estimated to have soared to nearly 50% in some parts of Turkiye, including Hatay province, following the earthquakes on 6 February 2023. This is a worrying trend, as the unmet need had already been on the rise from 6% in 2013 to 12% in 2018 in Turkiye.  The Association of Public Health Specialists (HASUDER), IPPF’s local partner in Türkiye, is the only provider of contraception in some camps for internally-displaced persons (IDPs) following the devastating 7.8 and 7.6 earthquakes that killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and displaced millions. Professor Bülent Kılıç, head of HASUDER, said that while government services are mandated to deliver contraceptive supplies to health clinics inside IDP camps, services have generally focused on pregnancy and birth services. He said: ”Physicians who provide contraceptive methods, including inserting intrauterine devices (IUDs) are rare or fully absent. There is no awareness about this service gap.” Kılıç also describes serious hygiene problems for women in the camps, where basic needs such as clean toilets and bathrooms are not being met. Kılıç continued: “We have seen that contraceptive services are only provided in gynaecology clinics in hospitals, and even then it is offered very little and only if requested. This issue is related to the government's perspective on women and women's rights.” HASUDER’s reproductive health unit, which was established with support from IPPF and Hatay Municipality in Lions and Mersin Municipality Tent City in Hatay, has been providing sexual and reproductive health services to 3,000 people since March 2023. These services include maternal and neonatal care, contraceptive care, safe abortion care, and counselling for sexual and gender-based violence. HASUDER is providing contraceptive methods including intrauterine devices, oral contraceptives and condoms, but reports that underwear, sanitary pads, birth control pills, emergency contraception pills and condoms are still among the most needed items for women. HASUDER has also reported a rise in unplanned pregnancies due to the dearth of contraceptives available. Violence against women and girls - already a serious issue in Turkey - is exacerbated in every humanitarian emergency, and persists in the IDP camps. IPPF estimates that 3.9 million women of reproductive age, over 175,000 pregnant women, and more than 1.2 million adolescent girls (aged 10-19) were affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye. We anticipate more than 8,700 currently pregnant women will experience delivery complications. For media enquiries, please contact [email protected] or Nerida Williams, Senior Humanitarian Communications Advisor, [email protected]  About the International Planned Parenthood Federation The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global service provider and advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.  For 70 years, IPPF, through its 118 Member Associations and seven partners, has delivered high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare and helped advance sexual rights, especially for people with intersectional and diverse needs that are currently unmet. Our Member Associations and partners are independent organisations that are locally owned, which means the support and care they provide is informed by local expertise and context. We advocate for a world where people have the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity - no matter what.