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Regional Actors call all to address the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights
Cairo - 26 August 2020 - UNFPA, IPPF AWR and the other members of the Arab World Advocacy Network (AWAN) for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights noted that integrating sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights into their Covid-19 response and recovery so far have fallen short and stress that it is now more important than ever before to realize women’s and girls’ choices and rights to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
AWAN is the Arab World Advocacy Network for Sexual & Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights (SRH & RR) co-founded by UNFPA Arab States Regional Office and IPPF Arab World Region with the membership of several organizations that share the same objectives in terms of advocating for women, girls’ and young persons’ SRH needs and RR.
Beirut Explosion Situation Report No.2
On 4 August 2020, at approximately 18:00, a warehouse at the Beirut Port containing large quantities of ammonium nitrate exploded. The initial explosion was followed by a much more substantial blast that caused widespread damage, reportedly reaching more than 20 kilometres from the port area.
As of 18 August, reports indicate that the death toll has reached 220, with over 7,000 injured and more than 300,000 people left displaced, with many showing symptoms of severe psychological distress. These numbers are expected to rise as more bodies are recovered from the surrounding wreckage and dozens of people are still reported missing. The situation is further exacerbated by rising confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Lebanon UN Flash Appeal
The Beirut Port explosions on 4 August created significant immediate humanitarian needs and severe long-term consequences. Building on existing humanitarian response efforts, a comprehensive, effective response to this emergency requires three phases of activity. Such a plan should quickly transition from immediate humanitarian relief into recovery, reconstruction and eventually longer-term economic recovery. This humanitarian Flash Appeal focuses on the first phase and the early parts of the second phases of the response, and the activities covered will save lives, protect the most vulnerable and set the stage for subsequent longer term reconstruction and economic recovery, which constitutes a third phase.
Beirut GBV Advocacy Brief
On 4 August, 2020, at approximately 18h00 (local time), a warehouse at the Beirut Port containing large quantities of ammonium nitrate exploded. The initial explosion was followed by a much more substantial blast that caused widespread damage reportedly reaching more than 20 kilometres from the port area. The incident has created yet another large-scale crisis in a country that is in the midst of a serious economic crisis as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beirut Explosion Situation Report No.1
On 4 August 2020, at approximately 18:00, a warehouse at the Beirut Port containing large quantities of ammonium nitrate exploded. The initial explosion was followed by a much more substantial blast that caused widespread damage, reportedly reaching more than 20 kilometres from the port area.
As of August 11, latest reports reveal that the death toll has reached 220 with over 7,000 injured and more than 300,000 people left displaced with many showing severe psychological distress. These numbers are continually expected to rise as more bodies are recovered from the surrounding wreckage, and dozens are still reported missing. The blasts sent shockwaves across the city causing widespread damage extending to the outskirts of Beirut, including several primary and secondary healthcare facilities. The National Primary Health Care (PHC) Network Central Drugs Warehouse was severely damaged, as well as 23 PHC Centers, 4 of which were completely destroyed in addition to 6-10 hospitals.
Flash Appeal: 2020 Beirut Explosion
On 4 August, 2020, at approximately 18h00 (local time), a warehouse at the Beirut Port containing large quantities of ammonium nitrate exploded. The initial explosion was followed by a much more substantial subsequent blast that caused widespread damage reportedly reaching more than 20 kilometres from the port area. As of August 11, the death toll from the incident stands at more than 170 and is continually rising as more bodies are recovered from the surrounding wreckage. More than 5,000 people were injured in the blast, with more than 300,000 displaced and dozens reported missing since the incident.
FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMMING: a regional paper based on four case studies in the Arab states
Family planning is central to gender equality and women and girls’ empowerment, and it is a key factor in reducing poverty. The Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) recognized “the right of men and women to be informed and to have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of family planning of their choice.” UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, supports voluntary family planning, including procuring contraceptives, supply chain management, and training health professionals to accurately and sensitively counsel individuals about their family planning options. A holistic and sustainable approach to family planning is essential to ensure that family planning needs are met, every individual can choose their preferred method, and most importantly to reduce maternal and child mortality.
COVID-19 Situation Report No. 6 for UNFPA Arab States
The UN Secretary-General’s policy brief on the impact of COVID-19 on the Arab region highlights the likely devastating effects of the pandemic. The economy could contract by over 5% and one quarter of the population may end up in poverty. Some communities will be especially hard hit, including women, migrants and the more than 62 million people already in need of humanitarian assistance prior to COVID-19. Those caught in armed conflict face particular challenges.
Navigating Comprehensive Sexuality Education in the Arab Region
The objective of this report is to explore the landscape of (comprehensive) sexuality education in the Arab region. In doing so, UNFPA’s Arab States Regional Office (ASRO) aims to identify promising initiatives and any potential best practices for replication or scaling, and seek entry points for CSE in the different Arab states. This does not stand alone, but is interlinked with UNFPA’s strategic plan (2018-2021), and thus the three transformative results, as well as UNFPA’s Youth Strategy.
COVID-19 Situation Report No. 5 for UNFPA Arab States
All countries in the region have confirmed COVID-19 cases with the vast majority (around three quarters) among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Egypt and Iraq are showing a steady increase in caseload. Rising infection is also of concern in the most fragile countries in the region, i.e. Yemen, Somalia, Syria and Libya, as health systems are ill-equipped for a pandemic response. More than a quarter of confirmed cases in Yemen have died giving it the highest case fatality rate in the region.