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April 8th, 2025 - A new project titled "Providing Critical Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health Care to Internally Displaced People and Local Communities in Yemen" has been launched. Funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by IPPF Member Association in Yemen, the Yemeni Association for Reproductive Health (YARH), the project aims to enhance and sustain high-quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and awareness for Yemen’s crisis-affected populations in Aden and Amran. Following years of conflict and instability, Yemen's humanitarian needs remain severe, with an estimated 19.5 million people in need of assistance (OCHA). Internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities are particularly affected, struggling to access essential maternal, newborn, and reproductive healthcare.  The new funding will allow for expanded services, ensuring lifesaving care reaches more communities, particularly women, youth, and newborns. It aims to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity while improving care for survivors of gender-based violence. Additionally, community outreach and capacity-building programmes will empower individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Key activities include: Renovating and upgrading two health facilities (one in each project governorate) to provide high-quality SRH, maternal and child health, and gender-based violence (GBV) services, as well as nutrition and cholera treatment. Ensuring IDPs, host communities, and returnees receive critical reproductive healthcare, including antenatal and postnatal care, family planning, and emergency obstetric and newborn care. Training healthcare professionals from YARH and other local health facilities in the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), Clinical Management of Rape, and sexual reproductive health in emergencies (SRHiE). Conducting 480 awareness-raising sessions led by trained peer educators to educate nearly 5,000 individuals on SRH, HIV, cholera, nutrition, and gender-based violence. Training 40 community and youth peer educators to strengthen SRH education and advocacy efforts in local communities. H.E. Mr. NAKASHIMA Yoichi, Ambassador of Japan to Yemen stated, “Ensuring access to quality maternal and reproductive health services for crisis-affected communities underscores our commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in Yemen. We look forward to beginning this new project”. Dr. Ali Norman, Executive Director of YARH, emphasised, “By strengthening health infrastructure, training healthcare workers, and engaging communities, we are improving the health and well-being of mothers, newborns, and families across the region. We are grateful for the support from the Government of Japan.” Dr. Fadoua Bakhadda, Regional Director of the IPPF Arab World Regional Office, added, “This support ensures that we can keep delivering essential SRH services to communities in greatest need. This funding will be transformative for women, children, and families in Yemen, particularly in underserved areas.” Over the course of this project, it is anticipated that: Over 10,000 women, newborns, and young people will receive quality SRH and maternal health services. 1,000 women will be reached with gender-based violence services. Over 4,000 internally displaced persons and host community members will receive information on sexual and reproductive health and rights, including GBV and other health services. Peer educators will be trained in communication skills, basic health, hygiene, and SRHR education. Healthcare service providers will receive specialised training to enhance the quality of SRH services in emergencies.  About YARH Established in June 2009 as a not-for-profit voluntary non-governmental organisation, the Yemeni Association for Reproductive Health (YARH) is registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs and became an IPPF Member Association in 2010. Through two clinics and one youth-friendly service centre, YARH provides quality SRH services to people in Yemen. The organisation plays a key role in building strategic partnerships with other entities focused on young people’s programmes and actively involves youth in identifying, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating projects. YARH is a strong advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Key partnerships include the Ministry of Public Health (Department of Reproductive Health, National AIDS Programme, General Directorate for Women's and Child's Health), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Scouts, Guides, and Sport Clubs), Sana’a University, the Population Research and Studies Centre, local NGOs active in reproductive health, private universities, and organisations focused on human rights, gender equality, and women's rights, including the Women's National Committee and the National Information Centre. About IPPF Arab World Office The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Arab World Office is a leading healthcare provider and advocate for SRHR in North Africa and the Middle East. Established in 1971, it is one of IPPF’s six regional offices, supporting a network of member associations across the region. IPPF AWR is committed to delivering essential health services and championing reproductive rights, particularly in crisis and humanitarian settings.  

IPPF remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting its Member Association, the Syrian Family Planning Association (SFPA), in providing essential SRHR services for all. Within the uncertainty and instability, we continue to work together with SFPA to empower communities, protect the rights of women and adolescents, and address the urgent needs of marginalized populations, particularly in the face of increased vulnerability. Our collective mission stands firm: we are committed to ensuring that dignity, health, and choice are accessible to all, regardless of political or social challenges. Even in these uncertain times, we believe that SRHR services must continue - because the need for family planning, maternal healthcare, and gender-based violence (GBV) support does not diminish, even in the midst of conflict. Syria is enduring a difficult period of transition, but sexual and reproductive health cannot be sidelined. The health and well-being of Syria’s most vulnerable populations, especially women and youth, remain a top priority. The work of SFPA is more essential than ever, as it continues to provide vital services such as family planning, postnatal care, and GBV screening. At Al-Hasakah, SFPA is on the frontlines, directly supporting over 5,000 people, the majority of whom are women in urgent need of reproductive healthcare services. These women face an increased risk of complications due to the lack of access to safe and comprehensive health services, but SFPA is committed to meeting their needs. From providing postnatal care to offering family planning options and GBV screenings, SFPA is ensuring that women in these vulnerable circumstances are not forgotten. SFPA’s clinics, such as the one in southern Daraa and the besieged Al-Waer in Homs, have become lifelines, serving as a beacon of hope for those in need. They provide up to 70 beneficiaries a day with crucial services, including health counselling and early marriage awareness. SFPA has faced significant challenges, including the seizing of vehicles and temporary clinic closures in the suburbs of Homs. Yet SFPA's perseverance in delivering SRHR services remains an essential lifeline for the people of Syria. We will continue to stand alongside SFPA in their tireless efforts to safeguard sexual and reproductive health rights, ensuring that every woman, adolescent, and marginalized person has access to the care they deserve. Together, we stand for dignity, health, and choice, even in the face of uncertainty. The challenges are great, but the importance of maintaining SRHR services is immeasurable. Through unwavering dedication, we can support those in need and contribute to a future where everyone has access to the care and rights they deserve.   Contact: +44 7918 845944 Image credit: SFPA/Wasim Kashlan

On Monday 6th February, catastrophic earthquakes hit Türkiye and Syria. Within hours, our local member association, the Syrian Family Planning Association (SFPA), was among the first responders assisting and evacuating people to safe shelter and accommodation in Syria. Dr. Lama Mouakea, Executive Director, Syrian Family Planning Association said: “In the aftermath of Monday’s earthquake, at least two hospitals have collapsed, three of our clinics have been damaged, and many health services have been disrupted. This will have an immediate, and dire, impact on women and girls. The catastrophic earthquake combined with the harsh winter makes our response even more critical. We have already sent mobile clinics to the areas affected to provide immediate healthcare.” Dr. Mouakea added: “Women and girls who are being moved into shelters in several areas, such as Aleppo and Idlib, may be subjected to violence or sexual abuse, so the medical and psycho-social service needs are great. We know of one devastating case of a mother giving birth to a baby while buried beneath rubble, who later sadly passed away. So getting pregnant women to safe spaces to deliver their babies is now essential. Our staff visit these areas continuously every week, so are already familiar with the communities and areas that are hardest hit. SFPA has been here before the earthquake providing humanitarian aid and will continue to serve these communities as they recover from this latest disaster.”  Whilst also responding to other immediate needs, SFPA is ensuring sexual and reproductive healthcare is on the agenda as a critical component of the response, especially for women, girls and marginalized communities.    Three in five preventable maternal deaths occur during natural disasters, and one in five women is likely to be pregnant during a crisis. Without access to reproductive healthcare, women and girls will suffer severe consequences, including miscarriage, premature labour, complications from unassisted deliveries and increased exposure to sexual and domestic violence, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion and even death.   Julie Taft, Humanitarian Director, International Planned Parenthood Federation said:   “IPPF is deeply saddened to hear of the news of the devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. Our deepest condolences go out to the families who lost loved ones and whose homes were destroyed. Our member association in Syria has already started responding with mobile health clinics, and we stand ready to support the ongoing response efforts of our local partners in their delivery of vital, and lifesaving, sexual and reproductive healthcare to women, girls, and marginalized populations.”  Twelve years of war and sanctions have left Syria’s infrastructure, including healthcare systems, battered. A crippling economic crisis has also driven humanitarian needs to record levels. SFPA has been responding throughout these interlinked crises ensuring continued sexual and reproductive healthcare services through their mobile and static clinics. Dr Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General of IPPF said: “It is amongst one of the most devastating natural disasters we have seen in recent times.  The focus of all actors must be squarely on the needs of the people, particularly women and girls and those who are more vulnerable.  It is not time to play geopolitics when women are giving birth amidst the devastation.  It is time to focus on getting aid and support to where it is needed, now.  It is not only the rubble that must be removed, but also any obstacle put in place by those in positions of power, locally, nationally or internationally.”