IAWG

The Inter-agency Working Group on Reproductive Health in Refugee Situations (IAWG)

In 1995, UNHCR, UNFPA, WHO and more than 50 United Nations, governmental and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) met to outline next steps in addressing RH needs of refugees. Following this meeting, 30 of the groups formed the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health in Refugee Situations.

The IAWG developed the key guidelines, tools and resources that continue to form the basis for meeting the needs of conflict-affected populations: 

1. Reproductive Health in Refugee Situations: An Inter-agency Field Manual for people assisting refugees. 

2. MISP: The Minimum Initial Service Package outlines the minimum services that must be provided in all disaster settings,

3. RH Kits for Crisis Situations. Kits designed for rapid deployment to aid workers, country offices, partner agencies and NGOs. 

The IAWG recognised the need for continued advocacy, funding and technical assistance for RH programmes in refugee situations... (add)

IAWG Global Evaluation.  Ten years after Cairo, the IAWG completed a global evaluation of reproductive health in conflict settings worldwide covering the issues at the field, agency and global levels. Its aim was to determine when and where RH services are provided and to identify gaps and constraints so that UN agencies, governments and NGOs can better target resources and interventions. 

See Flash Film:  "Reproductive Health Services for Displaced Persons: A Decade of Progress."

Content for this page was generously given by UNFPA Humanitarian Response Unit.