Many people in the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) face major barriers in meeting their basic needs; food insecurity continues to be widespread and the country’s health system is challenged by poor infrastructure, shortage of essential medicines and limited skills among health personnel. Vulnerabilities are exacerbated by recurrent natural disasters, such as floods and droughts. In the DPRK, UNFPA supports health facilities that provide life-saving sexual and reproductive health services, including emergency obstetric care, and distributes dignity kits, to support people in meeting their basic hygiene needs.

Mongolia suffers from a harsh climate with winter emergencies that can wipe out millions of livestock at the core of rural livelihoods. In 2016, a hot and dry summer followed by an extremely harsh winter, known locally as a dzud, caused the death of over a million animals and left herders in need of humanitarian support. The death of so much livestock has significantly reduced the ability of households to access sufficient food, leading to health and nutrition concerns for families. UNFPA's work in Mongolia has helped the most vulnerable individuals affected, namely young children and pregnant women. In concerted efforts with the Government of Mongolia, UNFPA helps to increase the availability and use of integrated sexual and reproductive health services to decrease the affected populations' exposure to sexually transmitted infections and to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies.

Myanmar faces multiple overlapping humanitarian needs caused by natural disasters, inter-communal violence and protracted armed conflicts. Conflict in Kachin, Kayin, Shan and Rakhine states has left many people internally displaced. Movement restrictions and insecurity constrain access to basic services, including lifesaving sexual and reproductive health care. Crowded conditions in displacement sites also increase health risks. Women in conflict-affected areas furthermore face a high risk of gender-based violence, trafficking and harmful practices. Together with partners, UNFPA is supporting affected populations with services and information on SRH and GBV, including mental health and psychosocial support.

Nepal is highly susceptible to natural hazards such as earthquakes and floods. Vulnerabilities are compounded by poverty; around a quarter of the population lives in extreme poverty, many in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Availability and quality of public services, including healthcare, is limited. UNFPA co-leads humanitarian preparedness and response in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence prevention and response, together with relevant Government ministries. UNFPA’s preparedness work focuses on enhancing coordination, strengthening capacities of service providers and other stakeholders, developing and updating disaster preparedness plans and guidelines, and prepositioning life-saving relief materials, including reproductive health and dignity kits. In response to disasters, UNFPA distributes these kits and provides SRH and GBV services and information to affected populations, particularly women and young people.

"Pakistan is affected by recurrent natural disasters and an ongoing nutrition crisis. The country also hosts the second-largest number of refugees in the world, predominantly from Afghanistan. Vulnerabilities are exacerbated by pervasive poverty and poor access to basic services, including safe water, sanitation and health care, in many communities. Women and girls also face grave protection risks, including gender-based violence and harmful practices such as early and forced marriage. UNFPA provides sexual and reproductive health services and supports mechanisms to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in crisis-affected communities. "