Sexual and reproductive health issues are the leading cause of death and disability among women and girls around the world. In times of upheaval, women and girls are at increased vulnerability to pregnancy-related deaths and illnesses, sexual and gender-based violence, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortion as well as transmission of sexually transmitted infections including HIV.

Despite this, sexual and reproductive health needs are still not systematically addressed in humanitarian responses in the East, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Region. This gap was particularly observed following the Asian Tsunami in 2004.

To address the gap IPPF-ESEAOR, the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australian Reproductive Health Alliance (ARHA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) developed the SPRINT Initiative in December 2007. With funding from AusAID, the programme works to increase access to sexual and reproductive health services and information for persons living in both emergency and protracted situations throughout the region.

The SPRINT Initiative is a rights-based initiative that aims to uphold the right to life and security of persons, as well as the right to the highest attainable standard of health – including sexual and reproductive health - for all people affected by conflict and natural disaster.

Read More on SPRINT's Objectives and Activities