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16th April 2026 - A new project ensuring access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for women and adolescents has been launched in Ukraine. Funded by the Government of Japan, and implemented by IPPF Member Association, Women Health and Family Planning (WHFP), the project will support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in the Mykolaiv region of the country.  Ongoing conflict in Ukraine means nearly 13 million people now have acute humanitarian needs, and 3.8 million are internally displaced. Escalations in April 2025 resulted in a new wave of IDPs from frontline districts to regions such as Mykolaiv, creating additional pressures on an already stretched healthcare system. 68 healthcare facilities in the region have been damaged since February 2022, and there has been a significant reduction in medical personnel.  More than half of IDPs live in rural areas, where their only option is to seek medical care in community healthcare facilitiesThis project aims to strengthen the sexual and reproductive health services provided by these primary healthcare facilities, ensuring women and adolescents, and particularly IDPs, can access quality care. The work will also raise awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights among women and young people in the region and provide information on how to access services. Key activities and expected outcomes include:Supporting three primary healthcare facilities in the Mykolaiv region to provide quality sexual and reproductive health services, such as gynecological examinations, non-urgent pregnancy care, HIV prevention, contraception, sexual and reproductive health counselling and referrals.  Equipping these healthcare facilities with essential tools and medication, such as dopplers for fetal heart monitoring, contraceptives, pharmaceutical refrigerators, and gynecological examination sets.  Training 30 primary healthcare level specialists, such as family doctors and midwives, in sexual and reproductive health services such as family planning, HIV prevention, patient examinations, and caring for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.  Using social media channels, public platforms and regional media to reach at least 10,000 women and adolescents with information on sexual and reproductive health, and how to access support.  Dr. Galyna Maystruk, Executive Director of Woman Health and Family Planning said: “We see how the destruction of medical infrastructure and the shortage of personnel are severely limiting access to essential services that are vital for women. This initiative is a significant contribution to restoring and strengthening sexual and reproductive health security in one of the most important regions of Ukraine in all respects. We are focusing our efforts on the Mykolaiv region, since the needs are particularly acute. Our long-term humanitarian experience shows that special attention to the essential needs of the population makes these people safer - especially vulnerable groups. Thanks to the targeted and practical support of Japan, together with our partners, we are building a sustainable system that supports the different needs of the population.”  Valerie Dourdin, IPPF Global Humanitarian Director, added “In crisis situations, ensuring access to safe care is not optional - it is life saving. Thanks to the support of the Government of Japan, this project strengthens healthcare facilities so that people displaced by conflict can access safe, quality sexual and reproductive health services.”   --About WHFPFor 20 years WHFP has been consistently and actively working in the field of reproductive health, strengthening and protecting the reproductive rights of people in Ukraine.Its main spheres of activity include: independent expertise and strategic development relating to national legislation and development of the legal framework in the field of reproductive health and family planning; education programs on sexuality education and healthy lifestyles; training for medical professionals; public awareness campaigns on cancer prevention among women; and rehabilitation programs for breast cancer survivors.About IPPF EN regionIPPF European Network is one of the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s six regional networks. IPPF EN works in over 40 countries across Europe and Central Asia to empower everyone, especially the most socially excluded, to live with dignity and to have access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.  

April 8th, 2025 - A new project titled "Providing Critical Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health Care to Internally Displaced People and Local Communities in Yemen" has been launched. Funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by IPPF Member Association in Yemen, the Yemeni Association for Reproductive Health (YARH), the project aims to enhance and sustain high-quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and awareness for Yemen’s crisis-affected populations in Aden and Amran. Following years of conflict and instability, Yemen's humanitarian needs remain severe, with an estimated 19.5 million people in need of assistance (OCHA). Internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities are particularly affected, struggling to access essential maternal, newborn, and reproductive healthcare.  The new funding will allow for expanded services, ensuring lifesaving care reaches more communities, particularly women, youth, and newborns. It aims to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity while improving care for survivors of gender-based violence. Additionally, community outreach and capacity-building programmes will empower individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Key activities include: Renovating and upgrading two health facilities (one in each project governorate) to provide high-quality SRH, maternal and child health, and gender-based violence (GBV) services, as well as nutrition and cholera treatment. Ensuring IDPs, host communities, and returnees receive critical reproductive healthcare, including antenatal and postnatal care, family planning, and emergency obstetric and newborn care. Training healthcare professionals from YARH and other local health facilities in the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), Clinical Management of Rape, and sexual reproductive health in emergencies (SRHiE). Conducting 480 awareness-raising sessions led by trained peer educators to educate nearly 5,000 individuals on SRH, HIV, cholera, nutrition, and gender-based violence. Training 40 community and youth peer educators to strengthen SRH education and advocacy efforts in local communities. H.E. Mr. NAKASHIMA Yoichi, Ambassador of Japan to Yemen stated, “Ensuring access to quality maternal and reproductive health services for crisis-affected communities underscores our commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in Yemen. We look forward to beginning this new project”. Dr. Ali Norman, Executive Director of YARH, emphasised, “By strengthening health infrastructure, training healthcare workers, and engaging communities, we are improving the health and well-being of mothers, newborns, and families across the region. We are grateful for the support from the Government of Japan.” Dr. Fadoua Bakhadda, Regional Director of the IPPF Arab World Regional Office, added, “This support ensures that we can keep delivering essential SRH services to communities in greatest need. This funding will be transformative for women, children, and families in Yemen, particularly in underserved areas.” Over the course of this project, it is anticipated that: Over 10,000 women, newborns, and young people will receive quality SRH and maternal health services. 1,000 women will be reached with gender-based violence services. Over 4,000 internally displaced persons and host community members will receive information on sexual and reproductive health and rights, including GBV and other health services. Peer educators will be trained in communication skills, basic health, hygiene, and SRHR education. Healthcare service providers will receive specialised training to enhance the quality of SRH services in emergencies.  About YARH Established in June 2009 as a not-for-profit voluntary non-governmental organisation, the Yemeni Association for Reproductive Health (YARH) is registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs and became an IPPF Member Association in 2010. Through two clinics and one youth-friendly service centre, YARH provides quality SRH services to people in Yemen. The organisation plays a key role in building strategic partnerships with other entities focused on young people’s programmes and actively involves youth in identifying, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating projects. YARH is a strong advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Key partnerships include the Ministry of Public Health (Department of Reproductive Health, National AIDS Programme, General Directorate for Women's and Child's Health), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Scouts, Guides, and Sport Clubs), Sana’a University, the Population Research and Studies Centre, local NGOs active in reproductive health, private universities, and organisations focused on human rights, gender equality, and women's rights, including the Women's National Committee and the National Information Centre. About IPPF Arab World Office The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Arab World Office is a leading healthcare provider and advocate for SRHR in North Africa and the Middle East. Established in 1971, it is one of IPPF’s six regional offices, supporting a network of member associations across the region. IPPF AWR is committed to delivering essential health services and championing reproductive rights, particularly in crisis and humanitarian settings.  

Over the past few days, the world has watched in horror and disbelief at the events unfolding in Ukraine. It is estimated that over 500,000 people have now fled – many of whom are women and children – into neighbouring countries such as Poland, Hungary and Romania. The UN anticipates 4 million refugees by July 2022. During Humanitarian crises, sexual and reproductive healthcare is often overlooked. But the reality is daily sexual and reproductive healthcare needs such as essential care for pregnant people, access to menstruation products for people who menstruate, as well as ensuring people who need sexual and reproductive health assistance have access to the right information, remains an urgent priority. IPPF is working with partners on the ground in Poland to link those fleeing the conflict with critical sexual and reproductive health services as well as provide them with essential items.  Julie Taft,  Director of Humanitarian for the International Planned Parenthood Federation, said "As we mark one week since the invasion of Ukraine, the complex humanitarian situation has become even more apparent. Right now, millions across the country are fighting for their survival, while food, medical supplies and essential hygiene products run dangerously low, including equipment needed to provide life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare. The destruction of healthcare infrastructure also means that women are forced to deliver their babies in bomb shelters. At the same time, sick and vulnerable new-borns must receive care in the basements of hospitals.   "In response to the growing humanitarian crisis, the International Planned Parenthood Federation has partnered with the All-Poland's Women's Strike, a Polish women's rights movement currently supporting people displaced by the war. The $50,000 USD grant will go towards dignity kits, consisting of basic hygiene supplies, menstrual-hygiene products, blankets, food, diapers and baby clothes. Items will be distributed to Ukrainians who have fled into Poland as well as transported cross-border into Ukraine. The funds will also support the All-Poland's women's strike to link refugees who have crossed the Ukraine-Poland border with essential healthcare services. "IPPF is proud to partner with such a brave and unyielding organisation on the frontline and will continue to work closely with other NGOs to facilitate care for those who need it most. However, NGOs cannot operate efficiently without the support of the international community, which must guarantee the safe passage of humanitarian aid into Ukraine. The urgent need for unhindered humanitarian access is especially significant for unaccompanied minors and those left behind, who are often the most vulnerable populations and who will require distinct care during this tragic situation." Marta Lempart, Founder of the All-Poland Women's Strike, said: "We are deeply committed to helping displaced people flee the invasion of our neighbour, Ukraine. Our teams across Poland are working around the clock to support vulnerable people crossing both at the border, including unaccompanied minors at-risk of trafficking and those left behind or heading back to Ukraine. Both groups will require personalised care and support. "We are pleased to partner with the International Planned Parenthood Federation, so we can continue delivering dignity kits to those who need them most; for displaced people arriving with just the clothes on their back, access to even simple necessities are a lifeline. We are also thankful for the outpouring of support from across Europe - the funding will help care for exhausted families who have made it safely across the border, covering transport, rent, bills and other expenses as they begin to build their futures outside of Ukraine. "Disasters reinforce, perpetuate, and increase existing inequalities, making bad situations even more tragic and resulting in consequences that will carry down for generations. But with the international community's support, we can ensure that organisations like Women's Strike and IPPF are there for people every step of the way." Click here if you would like to donate to IPPF's Ukraine Appeal.  For media enquiries, please contact Karmen Ivey on kivey@ippf.org or media@ippf.org 

Following the disturbing reports coming out of Ukraine, IPPF has released a media statement on behalf of the Federation and its Member Association in Ukraine.   Despite the fact that sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRHR) needs increase significantly during conflict and humanitarian situations, the significant vulnerabilities of affected populations and displaced people are often overlooked, especially the experiences of women, girls and marginalized populations who are at increased risk of unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and sexual and gender-based violence. IPPF’s Director-General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo, said:   "The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is deeply concerned about the escalation of conflict in Ukraine. We take our responsibility to preserve the enormous gains made in life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare across the country very seriously, especially for women, girls and marginalised populations, whose vulnerability and experiences are so often overlooked in humanitarian situations.  "For 20 years, IPPF has consistently worked to strengthen and protect the reproductive rights of people in Ukraine, working in the frontline conflict zones of Lugansk and Donetsk since 2014, training medical specialists to provide life-saving reproductive healthcare, psychosocial support and quality care to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. “Our teams are now contingency planning across the region to address not only the needs of those still in Ukraine, but also the millions who are likely to be displaced by the conflict and who will require critical support to continue accessing healthcare. We will work closely with partners and other NGOs to ensure the least possible disruption to services. "IPPF stands in solidarity with the international community and the brave people of Ukraine who for the last eight years have faced terrifying and difficult circumstances that nobody should ever have to suffer through. We stand by IPPF's frontline team, who, despite the dangers, continue to facilitate life-saving healthcare for those who need it most. We will be monitoring the situation closely to ensure the safety of our colleagues across the region.” For European outlets, please contact press@ippfen.org For UK and other international media outlets, please contact Karmen Ivey on kivey@ippf.org or media@ippf.org