Why is menstrual health management (MHM) in humanitarian emergencies important?
The lack of supplies (or ability to purchase from remaining market supplies), lack of clean water, lack of functioning toilets and washrooms, lack of clothing and lack of a waste disposal system have made the management of menstrual health, in a dignied and safe way, impossible. It is essential that the humanitarian response takes a coordinated approach to meeting the needs of women and girls ensuring that adequate MHM supplies such as disposable pads and underwear are part of the prioritization and distribution plans as well as ensuring MHM is linked where possible to programmatic interventions such as those targeting adolescent girls, protection risk mitigation, and community leadership in the shelter sites. This strategy, developed by UNFPA and the GBV Sub-Cluster, aims to bring together those that have a role in MHM including WASH, CVA, Health, Shelter, Child Protection and GBV.
