Crisis and care: How emergencies disproportionately impact women and children and HCI’s commitment to building their resilience

Whether triggered by conflict, natural disasters, health crises or armed conflicts, emergencies disproportionately affect women and children, exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and create new challenges. Gender roles also influence how individuals are impacted by disasters and their ability to recover. Gender inequalities can lead to different disaster effects, which in turn can alter gender dynamics, ultimately influencing the resilience of women and children to future shocks.

According to a 2019 UNDP report, at least 60% of deaths caused by extreme climate disasters over the last 20 years were women. Meanwhile, the OECD estimates that women and children are 14 times more likely to die from a disaster than men. Women account for more than 75% of refugees and displaced persons at risk from war, famine, persecution and natural disasters.

Emergencies create a wide range of problems experienced at the individual, family, community and societal levels. During emergencies, gender-based violence (GBV) and discrimination can prevent women and girls from accessing essential services or finding safe shelters. This further increases their risk of injury or death. Their daily lives are profoundly impacted and sexual and reproductive health needs are often overlooked, leading to staggering consequences. Pregnant women face life-threatening complications without access to delivery and emergency obstetric care services. These factors ultimately lead to significant mental health and psychosocial challenges among affected women and girls.

Additionally, armed conflicts and natural disasters significantly hinder the development and well-being of children. They may be forced to flee their homes, with some separated from their parents and caregivers. Anxiety, depression and other stress-related issues threaten children’s ability to grow up healthy and happy. Evidence indicates that these emergencies lead to malnutrition, physical injuries, acute and infectious diseases, and poor mental health in children. 

In conflict-affected areas, alongside mass displacement, children face risks from collapsing infrastructure, food insecurity, unsafe water, insufficient water supply and inadequate sanitation facilities. Throughout these crises, children frequently lack access to mental health and psychosocial support, which can have devastating long-term effects.

Human Concern International: Strengthening resilience amidst crises

Human Concern International (HCI) is a global charity with a substantial presence in the Middle East, Asia and East Africa. Committed to mobilizing resources and addressing the impacts of various crises, HCI implements targeted solutions in collaboration with local partners.

HCI’s mission is to mitigate the harm caused by various disasters and conflicts by implementing sustainable programs in the regions it serves. By addressing immediate needs and fostering long-term resilience, HCI aims to empower communities to rebuild and thrive despite the challenges they face. 

In 2023 and 2024, HCI has launched several Emergency Response programs across the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, Palestine, Syria and Sudan. These initiatives aim to enhance the resilience of women and children disproportionately affected by these crises. By providing essential support,such as food, healthcare, education, and psychosocial services, HCI is dedicated to helping vulnerable populations recover and rebuild their lives.

Through these efforts, HCI remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering sustainable development and empowering communities to overcome the challenges they face in times of crisis.

HCI’s effort to strengthen the maternal and neonatal health care in Khartoum

Women and girls in Sudan have been facing unimaginable circumstances since the start of the crisis. Hospitals were targeted early on in the conflict with nearly all major clinics and hospitals destroyed in the region. In May 2023, at least 1.1 million Sudanese women were pregnant with 29,000 expected to give birth within the month that followed. Without access to sufficient, or any, maternal and neonatal care, it is estimated that at least 4,300 women would be at risk of death without emergency obstetric care. The Saudi Maternity Hospital is one of only two hospitals providing obstetric services in Khartoum and it was essential to staff the hospital as people fled the violence. 

From June to July 2023, HCI successfully supported 1,800 deliveries and provided 9,000 pre- and postnatal care consultations. This achievement was made possible by maintaining essential maternal and neonatal healthcare services in Omdurman, Khartoum, which ensured that women and newborns received the critical care they needed.

HCI’s intervention saw the Saudi Maternity Hospital remain operational and well-staffed during this critical time, contributing significantly to enhanced maternal and neonatal health outcomes. These efforts are vital in addressing the urgent healthcare needs of the community and ensuring that women and children have access to life-saving services.

HCI’s psychosocial support for children and caregivers through child-friendly spaces

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Southern Turkey and northern Syria at 4:20 a.m. on February 6, 2023, causing over 4,518 deaths and 8,389 injuries in northwest Syria by February 18. The earthquake collapsed many buildings in Idlib and Aleppo, leading to 57,000 people being displaced. The region faced a catastrophic situation, compounded by harsh winter weather and a lack of shelter and services.

The earthquake’s impact on affected individuals has been profound, leading to several critical issues:

1. Nervous breakdowns: Many experienced breakdowns due to the loss of relatives.
2. Psychological trauma: There was widespread psychological distress, with many needing treatment for anxiety and depression.
3. Stress and anxiety: Individuals report episodes of fear, heightened stress, anxiety and sleep disturbances.
4. Children’s needs: Children were particularly affected, exhibiting anxiety and fear. This saw a pressing need for child-friendly centers and recreational activities to help them cope.
5. Lack of support: There were insufficient resources and training for parents on how to help their children navigate trauma, leaving families without effective coping mechanisms.

The need for psychological support and trauma-informed care was urgent in all affected areas. HCI’s intervention included creating three child-friendly spaces and utilizing caravans equipped with entertainment facilities such as a puppet theater and various games. After coordinating with the local community, sessions began in the targeted locations, running daily for six days a week. Each session lasted between 30 to 45 minutes and followed a psychosocial support curriculum.

The program focused on promoting positive strategies for overcoming crises through safe play, fostering cooperation among children and facilitating their transition from shock to psychological recovery. Activities included puppet theater performances and the distribution of refreshments, creating a supportive and engaging environment for the children. 6554 girls and boys benefitted from this intervention.

In tandem with the psychosocial support sessions for children, the project team conducted parenting skills sessions for caregivers. The sessions aimed to increase their awareness of how to support children during disasters and crises and teach them positive strategies that can be used to mitigate the impact of psychological trauma on children. The sessions also focused on strengthening coping mechanisms and protecting children from psychological dangers. 3052 parents benefited from this intervention.

The project was all-encompassing, providing vital support to children like Ahmad*, who was battling cancer and displacement. His cancer treatment compounded his psychosocial distress, but through the psychosocial support sessions, Ahmad found relief while playing and connecting with his peers. These interactions helped him cope with his challenges, fostering a sense of community and support during a difficult time.

By Soniya Warraich, Program Officer at Human Concern International