Emergency contraception among refugees and the displaced

Abstract

In 1994, the international relief community began to recognize and address the reproductive health needs of refugees and displaced populations. A minimum initial service package of reproductive health services for refugees and the displaced, which includes emergency contraception (EC), was developed and recommended for use in refugee settings. This paper describes the experience of one international relief organization, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), in introducing EC into its worldwide reproductive health program. A recent IRC survey found that EC is available in 4 out of 14 settings where it provides reproductive health services. A case study from Tanzania demonstrates the modes of delivery, the demand for EC by women who have experienced sexual violence, and the community responses to this method of contraception. More information, education, and communication directed at refugee communities; more donor support for supplies; and institutional commitment to train staff are needed to expand refugee access to EC.