3 minutes read
In times of crisis—whether driven by conflict, political turmoil, or natural disasters—basic health needs are often the first casualty. Essential healthcare becomes inaccessible, particularly for women and girls, leaving them at greater risk of unintended pregnancies, maternal health complications, and sexual and gender-based violence. The lack of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services in these moments doesn’t just impact their health; it threatens their autonomy, safety, and ability to rebuild their lives.
MSI has witnessed how access to SRHR in crisis settings does more than restore health. It provides a foundation of stability and dignity, enabling women and girls to take back control over their futures—even in the most challenging circumstances.
Myanmar
Myanmar’s ongoing conflict has devastated communities and health infrastructure, leaving many without access to essential care. Women and girls bear the brunt of this instability, yet they are often the ones leading their families through it.
In Myanmar, MSI employs a dual approach: delivering care directly to communities while also working to strengthen local health systems. With 15 centres and 17 mobile outreach teams, MSI is providing care in a country where 1.5 million people are displaced and lack access to essential healthcare.
In 2022, MSI clinics served 30,000 women and girls from rural areas and urban slums, offering basic healthcare and reproductive support, including family planning options. Many of these women face persistent challenges, from stock shortages to financial barriers, making affordable and reliable care all the more vital. Today, an estimated 653,000 people in Myanmar rely on family planning methods provided.
To reach the most isolated and vulnerable, 49 mobile midwives trained by MSI travel to underserved regions, offering family planning consultations, health check-ups, and educational workshops. These local advocates support approximately 121,000 displaced people in northern Myanmar, many of whom have endured years of conflict and natural disasters. MSI also collaborates with local health organisations, training their providers to deliver reproductive healthcare directly within their communities.
Afghanistan
Since its establishment in 2002, MSI Afghanistan has operated through decades of political upheaval, adapting to meet the needs of women and girls in one of the world’s most challenging environments.
The past two years have been marked by economic instability, natural disasters, food insecurity, and an overburdened public health system. For Afghan women, accessing care is even harder, with restrictions on movement, education, and work. Women are often required to have a male chaperone to leave their homes and cannot seek care from male providers.
To overcome these barriers, MSI Afghanistan has built a network of skilled female providers who deliver care directly to women in their homes. Over the past two decades, MSI Afghanistan has provided life-saving healthcare across 18 of the country’s 34 provinces, serving over 496,000 clients annually. In 2023, amidst a growing humanitarian crisis, these efforts prevented an estimated 105,000 unsafe abortions.
Looking forward, MSI Afghanistan remains steadfast in its mission to reach the most vulnerable women and girls. By expanding the programme to communities displaced by insecurity and natural disasters, MSI aims to ensure that even in the face of immense challenges, Afghan women have access to the care they need to survive and recover.
Why SRHR is a cornerstone of recovery
In both Myanmar’s conflict zones and Afghanistan’s cumulative humanitarian crises, the message is clear: access to SRHR isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. These services help women navigate their way through crises, offering them control over their bodies and futures at a time when so much else feels beyond their power.
Yet, SRHR remains underprioritised in humanitarian aid. Women and girls in crises aren’t just underserved—they are often overlooked entirely. This must change.
While the global community may not know when the next humanitarian crisis will occur, we do know that millions more women and girls will be forcibly displaced. We know they will face severe challenges including disrupted health services, lack of contraception, and increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence.
MSI is demonstrating that even in the most challenging environments, it’s possible to deliver healthcare that is responsive, dignified, and lifesaving.
In the face of adversity, SRHR is not just a health service; it’s a path to dignity, resilience, and hope for a better future. Every woman, everywhere, has the right to take that path.
