DG ECHO-funded project seeks to strengthen access to sexual and reproductive health information and services for adolescents in humanitarian crises
Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), in partnership with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), has launched a new EU-funded humanitarian initiative that aims to improve access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services for adolescents affected by crises.
The 18-month project, funded by DG ECHO, aims to address critical gaps in how humanitarian responses meet the needs of young people. Adolescents living in crisis settings often face significant barriers to accessing information and services related to their health, rights and wellbeing.
Through this initiative, NCA and IPPF, along with their partners will work with youth networks, local service providers, and humanitarian actors across sectors to strengthen the integration of adolescent SRH (ASRH) into broader humanitarian responses. The project focuses on building capacity, testing practical solutions, and developing evidence-based guidance that can be scaled up and replicated globally.
In humanitarian crises, adolescents are often overlooked, yet their needs are urgent and complex. This project brings together partners across sectors to ensure that young people are not only reached, but actively involved in shaping the services that affect them.
A key component of the project is meaningful youth engagement. In pilot countries Ethiopia and Nigeria, the project members will collaborate closely with youth-led networks and organizations to co-design and implement training modules and integration guidelines. This ensures that diverse adolescent voices are embedded throughout the process.
The project will also contribute to strengthening coordination across sectors, enabling humanitarian actors to better integrate SRH services into health and non-health interventions alike.
By the end of the project, youth groups and humanitarian organizations will have improved capacity, tools and knowledge to deliver integrated SRH services in crisis contexts ultimately contributing to increased access to quality information and care for adolescents.
