OVERVIEW CARE International is a global leader in providing emergency aid, specializing in protection, sexual, reproductive and maternal health (SRMH), shelter, and Gender Based Violence (GBV) response and prevention. The armed conflict in South Sudan has led to a massive movement of South Sudanese refugees fleeing to surrounding countries, with the majority of them arriving in Uganda’s West Nile Region. There are now in excess of 1 million South Sudanese refugees in Uganda. The dramatic increase in refugees has left vulnerable populations in dire need of access to critical lifesaving services, including food, water, and non-food items, but also protection and SRMH services, particularly for women and girls. At the same time, services for shelter, GBV and SRMH are seriously limited, and there is an urgent need to provide support in these critical sectors as numbers of incoming refugees continue to escalate. Since December 2013, CARE International in Uganda has been delivering a humanitarian response targeting South Sudanese refugees, providing services in SRMH, GBV prevention and response, and shelter in Rhino Camp, Imvepi, and Bidibidi settlements. A specific focus is on Persons with Special Needs (PSN-separated children, unaccompanied minors, expectant and lactating mothers, single- mothers, woman-headed households, the disabled, the elderly, and the chronically sick). The SAF-PAC Humanitarian Project INTRODUCTION In coordination and collaboration with the Ugandan Ministry of Health, local communities and other humanitarian actors, the Supporting Access to Family Planning and Post-Abortion Care in Emergencies (SAF-PAC) initiative aims to reduce both unintended pregnancies and deaths from unsafe abortions during emergencies. funding will allow CARE to integrate these essential services into it response to acute and protracted emergencies. The one year project began on January 1, 2017 in Rhino Camp and Imvepi Settlements, and is expected to reach a total of nearly 34.000 direct beneficiaries. OBJECTIVES In this Initiative, CARE’s objectives include increasing access to Family Planning with emphasis on Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC- implants and IUDs), by building on the clinical and counseling capacity of healthcare providers; creating a social environment that supports women and their right to use and access Family Planning services; and
ensuring that 100% of women and girls with complications following abortions have access to free and high quality services. CARE will strive to improve the quality of sexual and reproductive health services through supportive supervision and data for decision making. ACTIVITIES, INTERVENTIONS AND RESULTS CARE has worked with both the District Health Office and national level technical working groups, to implement the following activities and interventions: Provided clinical training on Family Planning (insertion and removal of IUDs and implants) and counseling training for 30 healthcare providers in Health Facilities. Conducted mentorship sessions for Health Center pharmacists, and other dispenser/relevant staff members to ensure that clients have access to the full range of contraceptives and there is no stock out. Trained 120 Community Volunteers (Village Health Team (VHT) and Refugee volunteers) on Communication and Facilitation Skills providing continuous supervision, assessments and on-the-job coaching. Established and maintains a follow up system to remind continuing users of short-acting Family Planning methods who missed their visit to the facility Reviewed, adapted and printed Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials to promote use of Family Planning methods Trained 24 healthcare providers from Health Facilities on Post Abortion Vacuum Aspirators (PAC-MVA) for three days. Utilizes Value Clarification & Attitude exercises (VCAT) to address negative attitudes of providers and community volunteers that affect quality of services. “At first, women resisted family planning, saying they ‘wanted to produce many children so we can defend ourselves and fight our enemies.’ But now, they understand producing more won’t help.” Established and maintains a referral system from community to health centers for women and girls to have access to Emergency Obstetric Natal Care services Trained twelve Health Center Managers and Data Management Officers on supportive supervision and data analysis for decision making CARE International in Uganda Delphine Pinault, Country Director T: +256 (0) 312 258 100 Copyright and credits CARE East and Central Africa Regional Management Unit Nairobi, Kenya T: +254 (0) 20 280 7000 ECSA@care.org