Library

Information note on HIV in humanitarian contexts and recommendations for action.

Set of guidelines and standards for humanitarian response in disaster and conflict situations. It includes general guidelines that mainstream considerations related to HIV and specific vulnerable populations, ensuring that all affected individuals receive equitable and appropriate assistance. SPHERE provides minimum standards for health, nutrition, food security, WASH and shelter. HIV is addressed as a vulnerability.

This operational guidance, developed by WHO, UNICEF and ENN, outlines the duration of breastfeeding and support from health services to improve infant feeding practices among mothers living with HIV. It is intended to be used to complement emergency and sectoral guidelines on health, nutrition and HIV, including specifically infant feeding, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and paediatric antiretroviral treatment.

The Inter-Agency Field Manual on Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Settings (IAFM) is the result of a collaborative and consultative process engaging hundreds of representatives from United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations that make up the Inter-Agency Working Group on Reproductive Health in Crises (IAWG). Based on guidelines issued by normative bodies, particularly those of the World Health Organization, the 2018 IAFM incorporates specific evidence from, or examples about, the application and adaptation of global SRH or human rights standards in humanitarian settings. The 2018 IAFM reflects the wide application of the manual’s principles and technical content beyond refugee situations, extending its use into diverse crises, including conflict zones and natural disasters. The IAFM continues to be the authoritative source for SRH in crises; the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response incorporates the Minimum Initial Service Package for SRH – Chapter 3 in the 2018 IAFM – as a minimum standard of care in humanitarian response. The Manual is available in English, Arabic, French, Spanish and Russian

The Challenging Operating Environments (COEs) Policy aims to systematize the Global Fund’s approach in COEs and to provide overall guidance on future Global Fund engagement in these contexts. It codifies the Global Fund commitment to “improve effectiveness in COEs through innovation, increased flexibility and partnership. The Policy is guided by analytical work conducted by several consultations with external partners and also draws heavily on the experience and expertise of Global Fund country teams.