Global Assessment of young people's Sexual and Reproductive Health services in Displaced Communities

Background Reproductive health is often seen as a secondary concern for displaced populations in dire need of essentials such as food, water, shelter, and security. Evidence has shown sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs do not diminish in a crisis. These services also lead to reduced mortality among displaced populations. Young people are affected the most.

Learning Objectives In Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, and Bangladesh we sought to: 1) Identify gaps in the availability and accessibility of comprehensive SRH services for young people and 2) Identify community-level responses and promising approaches to strengthen the quality and availability of SRH services

Methods Interviews were conducted with key stakeholders – program and policy makers, service providers, youth and donors, to identify gaps and good practices, including promising local initiatives.

Results The SRH needs were inadequately met at all sites, with services for young people particularly insufficient.

Key service barriers included limited resources and inaccessible services in DRC and registration requirements, specifically in Nairobi and Cairo.

Sociopolitical and cultural barriers, including low status of women, stigmatization of family planning, not prioritizing youth, and discrimination against displaced Iraqis and Rohingyas, were most perceptible in Kenya, Bangladesh, and Egypt. A number of community based initiatives effectively addressed several gaps in these services, but remain inadequately supported by donors.

Conclusions There is a need to focus on strengthening community-based organizations and building partnerships both between them and between NGOs and donors.