A disaster can make people forget about existing problems, but it doesn’t make them disappear. In fact, a disaster is more likely to worsen existing inequalities and vulnerabilities.

In celebration of International Day for Disaster Reduction, Roots of Health takes a stand for reproductive health services. Birth control, prenatal care, and HIV testing and treatment remain essential as we build disaster-resilient communities, and especially more so in immediate disaster response.

Disasters increase sexual health risks that women and young people have already been struggling with under normal circumstances.

 

To minimize the effects of a disaster, whether its a pandemic, an earthquake or a typhoon, vulnerable groups should continue to have access to essential health care services–including birth control, maternal health care, and HIV testing and treatment.

Here’s to a meaningful International Day for Disaster Reduction!