Reproductive Health Care Critical to Pregnant Evacuees of Typhoon Ruby

Manila, December, 9, 2014 -- Based on latest government data of two million people affected by typhoon Ruby, there are more than 30,000 pregnant women in seven regions who may be in need of reproductive health services, including facilities and supplies for clean deliveries to prevent maternal and newborn deaths.

Following the typhoon devastation, there have been reports of childbirths taking place in evacuation centres. At least one maternal death resulting from pregnancy complication was reported in Iloilo. About 100 childbirths are expected daily from the affected cities and municipalities. Of these daily deliveries, some may experience life-threatening obstetric complications.

The situation clearly demonstrates the need to ensure that pregnant women affected by typhoon Ruby continue to have access to maternal care services, including safe and clean deliveries, despite the precarious situation.

“Focus must now urgently be on ensuring that health facilities in the affected areas become fully operational again and that roads are cleared and transport available for women who will deliver, especially those who are still in evacuation centres,” said Mr. Klaus Beck, Country Representative of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.

Initial reports indicate that typhoon-hit areas, including health facilities, are not as heavily affected as in the case of typhoon Yolanda, largely owing to the government contingency measures that were put in place. In addition, organizations such as the UNFPA has provided significant assistance over the past year to local government units to enable them to respond to the needs of pregnant and lactating women and to protect women from gender-based violence.

With the support of UNFPA and its partners, health care providers and social workers have been trained to respond and a number of supplies such as dignity kits and clean delivery kits have already been prepositioned, including with the provincial government of Eastern Samar. Health service providers trained on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health can also be deployed to typhoon Ruby areas to augment local health care capacities, if necessary.

Overall UNFPA has prepositioned 7,400 clean delivery kits for distribution to pregnant women about to give birth. The kit contains basic delivery supplies that can be used by a birth attendant in a health facility or evacuation centre to assist a woman giving birth. UNFPA also stands ready to distribute birthing equipment, supplies and medicines to damaged health facilities to restore their functionality. At least 4,500 dignity kits for pregnant and lactating women (with babies six months and below) are also prepositioned.

“It would be a tragedy should any woman die given birth after having already survived typhoon Ruby. UNFPA remains fully committed to support the national and local governments to avoid this,” Mr. Beck said.

UNFPA also looks into the protection needs of more than 500,000 women and girls of child-bearing age affected by the typhoon who are living either inside or outside evacuation centres as cases of violence against women and children (VAWC) may increase during displacement.

To support protection mechanisms for these women and girls, members of community women’s watch groups previously trained on VAWC prevention in typhoon-Haiyan affected areas are ready to assist in the areas worst-hit by typhoon Ruby. They can conduct awareness-raising sessions on VAWC, as well as laws that protect women’s rights against violence. Kits for the medical treatment of rape survivors are also available for health facilities if requested.