Papua New Guinea is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world; hazards include earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, droughts, flooding and associated disease outbreaks. Vulnerabilities are compounded by environmental and social factors such as tribal fighting, rapid population growth, urbanization, land degradation and climate change. UNFPA priorities in Papua New Guinea include disaster preparedness, awareness raising on sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender-based violence, and capacity strengthening of health workers.

The Philippines is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world, experiencing multiple destructive cyclones each year, in addition to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In the Mindanao region, conflict between government forces and several armed groups continues to drive displacement. UNFPA provides disaster-affected and displaced women, girls and young people with sexual and reproductive health and protection services. Boys and men are engaged in awareness raising activities on gender-based violence in emergencies. To strengthen preparedness, UNFPA prepositions supplies, including emergency reproductive health kits and emergency maternity tent sets, and works with government counterparts to enhance linkages between humanitarian assistance, development and peacebuilding in the Philippines.

Sri Lanka is prone to natural disasters, most notably cyclones that can cause flooding and landslides. In such emergency situations, UNFPA supports the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure that the affected populations are aware of and have access to sexual and reproductive health services and that women and adolescents are able to maintain their dignity and safety from gender-based violence.

Bangladesh hosts one of the world’s largest refugee populations and is also highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters. UNFPA and partners are strengthening preparedness and anticipatory actions. Assistance to Rohingya refugees, and their host community, includes women-friendly spaces, psychosocial support, family planning and midwifery services.