SPRINT is IPPF’s humanitarian programme ensuring that lifesaving sexual and reproductive healthcare is available when emergencies strike. Funded by the Australian Government since 2007, it works through IPPF’s locally led network of Member Associations and Collaborative Partners, with a particular focus on the Indo-Pacific region. This includes Pacific Island countries, where geographic isolation, dispersed populations and exposure to climate and natural hazards can make delivering emergency healthcare especially challenging.
Because Member Associations are already embedded in the communities they serve, they understand local needs, systems and barriers to care. SPRINT strengthens their capacity to prepare for crises, respond quickly and sustain essential services throughout recovery, enabling responses that are faster, more trusted and more inclusive.
Preparedness
SPRINT helps communities, health providers and national responders prepare before emergencies occur. This includes training, pre-positioning sexual and reproductive health supplies, strengthening coordination, and integrating sexual and reproductive health into national disaster management policies and plans.
The programme also supports advocacy, partnerships and community engagement so that sexual and reproductive health and rights are recognised and protected throughout all phases of the disaster management cycle.
Response
When an emergency strikes, Member Associations can apply for funding to deliver lifesaving services through static clinics, mobile health teams and community outreach.
Responses are coordinated with governments, humanitarian clusters and community partners. Services follow the Minimum Initial Service Package and can include contraception, maternal and newborn care, STI and HIV services, safe abortion care to the full extent permitted by law, and support and referrals for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
SPRINT prioritises women, adolescents, displaced people, people with disabilities and other marginalised communities who may face additional barriers to care.
Recovery
SPRINT helps Member Associations restore and maintain services after an emergency, connecting immediate interventions with longer-term health system strengthening. Post emergency reviews and peer learning ensure lessons from each response inform future preparedness, advocacy and programme planning.
SPRINT’s Impact
Between 2007 and 2025, SPRINT:
- Reached 2.5 million people with vital health services
- Delivered 11.9 million services to people affected by crises
- Supported 133 emergency responses across 33 countries
- Trained 26,000 people in emergency preparedness
You can read more about IPPF Humanitarian’s work here.
when
country
Fiji, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Tonga, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Vanuatu
Subject
Emergencies