UN Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs,
with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
|
| UN Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) |
|
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This document is being made available by the Population Information
Network (POPIN) Gopher of the United Nations Population Division, Department
for Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis, in collaboration
with the United Nations Population Fund Emergency Relief Operations.
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AS WRITTEN
Statement by
Ms. Patricia Hindmarsh
Marie Stopes International
NGO Representative
to the
Inter-Agency Symposium on Reproductive Health in Refugee Situations
Geneva, 28-30 June 1995
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
I am very pleased to speak on behalf of a consortium of NGOS; and
to bring an NGO perspective to this opening ceremony of the inter-agency
symposium on reproductive health in refugee settings.
About a year ago; a number of NG0s were invited by the Andrew
Mellon Foundation Of New York to formulate a Plan of action to
address the reproductive health needs of refugees.
This initiative, fired by the enthusiasm and commitment of Dr.
Carolyn Makinson Of The Mellon Foundation, Followed extensive
research undertaken by the International Rescue Committee in a
number of refugee settings around the world.
This research revealed the chronic lack of reproductive health
services in these communities. It brought into focus the dire
Consequences for refugee women when the dangers of high fertility
and unwanted pregnancy are added to their already troubled lives.
The Reproductive Health For Refugees Consortium is funded by
The Mellon Foundation and Comprises John Snow Research And Training
Institute, International Rescue Committee, CARE, and Marie Stopes
International; each NGO BRINGING its own unique perspective,
experience and programme of action; but with a common goal.
The common goal is to ensure that reproductive health is
Incorporated and institutionalised in programmes serving
Refugee communities. The consortium has defined the following
Steps towards the realisation of this goal:
1. To advocate for increased attention and action amongst policy
makers, donors and service delivery groups.
2. To expand the body of knowledge on these issues.
3. To increase the level of funding available for reproductive
health for refugees.
4. To implement new reproductive health projects in refugee
settings.
5. To expand the number of organisations promoting and providing
Services.
We are committed to close cooperation - the sharing of information,
experiences and problems - so that our initiative will have the
greatest global impact. In this endeavour we are supported
By a secretariat provided by the Women's Commission For Refugee
Women And Children. And I would like to take this opportunity
To thank Sue Toole of the Women's Commission who continues to
Provide and invaluable service even though she now has both hands
Full since the recent arrival of her twins.
The four founder members of the RHR Consortium have been amazed at
the speed at which the initiative has developed. First of all with
the addition of new NGO members, such as family health
international, who are addressing the reproductive health needs
Of adolescents in refugee communities with grant-making facilities.
Generously allocated by the Mellon Foundation, the Consortium would
like to invite further members to join the initiative and to
address in their work, the reproductive health needs of refugees.
Secondly, we are pleased to be working in partnership with the
agencies of the United Nations. We particularly welcomed the
opportunity to participate in this symposium and we hope that as
NGOs We are making a valuable contribution to the discussions and
To the production of the field guidance manual; bringing a unique
Perspective gained at the grassroots.
Speaking on behalf of all the NGOs participating in this symposium,
I hope that this collaboration will continue for the benefit of
refugees and displaced people everywhere.