Reproductive Health Access, Information and Services in Emergencies (RAISE) Initiative
Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Pakistan, Myanmar, Yemen and Somalia
PROGRAM FACULTY: Sara Casey, Therese McGinn
STUDENTS: Julianne Deitch (DrPH student), Victoria Steven (MPH '18)
Despite increasing attention to sexual and reproductive health in humanitarian crises, contraceptive services and access to abortion-related services remain woefully inadequate. While contraceptive services may be included in humanitarian response, they are often limited to a few short-acting methods, depriving women, girls and their families from determining their own futures. CARE, the International Rescue Committee and Save the Children support the provision of short- and long-acting contraceptive methods and post-abortion care services in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Pakistan, Myanmar, Yemen and Somalia. These services are crucial to enable women, girls and men in humanitarian settings to exercise their right to reproductive choice.
Therese McGinn and Sara Casey have been working with CARE, the International Rescue Committee and Save the Children work to improve the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls in countries affected by war or natural disaster by evaluating field programs and respond to the severe challenges they face. The evaluations include multiple methods to assess program management, service delivery and attitudes of program staff and providers towards contraception and abortion.