Stories

In early April 2020, the all too familiar destruction of a Tropical Cyclone (TC) – Harold – hit the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga. One of the worst affected areas was the Eastern part of Fiji.

Kiribati is one of the least developed countries in the Pacific with few natural resources, limited governance, institutional capacity, and infrastructure. Humanitarian crises are prevalent here, and the occurrence of extreme weather events is likely to increase due to the climate crisis as the sea levels rise and regularly flood coastal homes.

Meet some of the dedicated staff and volunteers working on the frontline during a global pandemic. Working tirelessly, our colleagues are ensuring women, men, young people and families continue to receive sexual and reproductive healthcare throughout cities and in remote communities.

After marrying early, 21-year-old Muna decided that two children was what she wanted for the time being. So she approached the Family Planning Association of Nepal for help.

Flash floods in Sri Lanka in May 2017 triggered landslides that left many people homeless. Chathurika, a youth volunteer for a family planning association, took part in the crisis response by helping out at a health camp.

After tropical cyclone Gita, the IPPF Humanitarian team were deployed to Tonga where they met Leilani. Leilani identifies as a 'Leiti' (transgender woman) and she is fighting the stigma and discrimination surrounding the Leiti and LGBTI+ community.

Nursing Supervisor Ms. Lovely Yasmin is one of several staff members providing family planning, menstrual regulation, and post-procedure care services at Upzila Health Complex in Belkuchi, Bangladesh.

Shana Khatun decided to undergo menstrual regulation and received post-procedure care kit (Kit 8), that includes pain relief medicine. Alleviating the financial strain on her and her family.

Auliya Khatun decided to undergo menstrual regulation when she found out that she had unintentionally become pregnant again.

Amal Ahmed, the executive director of our Member Association in Somaliland (SOFHA) recounts her personal experience of being one of the 97-98% of young girls forced to undergo female genital mutilation in Somaliland.