5 Things Women Need after Cyclone Idai

Cyclone Idai struck Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe in March 2019. The storm lasted just over two weeks, but the devastation will take much longer to recover from: Torrential rains have caused intense flooding, infrastructure has been damaged beyond recognition, fields (the main source of income for these agricultural communities) have been destroyed, and over 2 million people have been displaced or otherwise impacted.  

Women have been hit especially hard by Cyclone Idai and face unique obstacles in the aftermath of the storm, which has affected the lives of nearly 75,000 pregnant women in the cyclone’s path. 1 in 10 are at risk of serious complications that will require skilled delivery care in order to ensure that both mother and baby survive. UNFPA is on the ground providing life-saving supplies to ensure clean deliveries and offering skilled midwifery care, so that mothers and newborns can have the safe birth that is their right. Here are 5 things that women need post-Cyclone Idai: 

Dignity Kits.   

Without access to laundry or showers, women are at risk for infections like UTIs. Dignity kits provide clean underwear, menstrual supplies, soap, and other items in a portable bag or bucket so that women can feel clean and empowered. In the aftermath of a natural disaster, UNFPA distributes these dignity kits to women and girls at refugee camps or other similar locations. 

Access to Healthcare Facilities.  

Flooding has devastated healthcare infrastructure in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. This has left 75,000 pregnant women with little or no access to pre- and ante-natal care, which is essential for safe pregnancies. As part of its commitment to help women after Cyclone Idai, UNFPA is on the ground in the affected countries providing life-saving supplies to ensure clean deliveries and offering skilled midwifery care, so that mothers and newborns can have the safe birth that is their right. 

Emergency Birth Kits.

Women don’t stop having children in times of crisis, but all women need a safe place to give birth. Just a few supplies can make a world of difference for a mother and her baby. Emergency birth kits provide a plastic sheet, soap, gloves, a razor, and other essentials so mothers in crisis situations can have a safe birth. Like dignity kits, UNFPA also provides emergency birth kits as part of relief efforts following disasters like Cyclone Idai. 

Safe Spaces.

In times of crisis, women and girls are more susceptible to gender-based violence (GBV). Women and girls are more likely to sleep in the open, or in crowded shelters and camps with other families that include other men. Women and girls are also less likely to have private bathrooms after disasters like Cyclone Idai destroy homes. This makes it easier for predators to take advantage of a situation that makes women more vulnerable. Designating safe areas for women and girls is one way to ensure that they can access the care that they need and can be free from violence.

Community & Counseling.  

Women and girls bear the brunt of crisis situations. They are more likely to take on extra care responsibilities, go without food, engage in prostitution for survival, or be married as children. One of the ways to help women and girls after Cyclone Idai (and other natural disasters) is to ensure that they have safe spaces to access sexual and reproductive healthcare resources, but also psychological counseling and legal advice. Women especially need to be able to talk to other women, so that they can build up their support systems.

The fallout from Cyclone Idai will affect communities in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe for months if not years. But there are ways to help those most affected by this crisis: UNFPA works to provide these 5 essentials to women and girls. Access to items like emergency birth kits, dignity kits, and medical kits can save the lives of mothers, newborns and children. Combined with safe spaces and community support, they also help to ensure that  families can begin the healing process and communities can begin to recover. Help us support UNFPA’s life-saving work towards Cyclone Idai recovery. 

-Dana Kirkegaard