Frequently Asked Questions

The 2018 Field Manual is the result of a collaborative process that included hundreds of individuals from dozens of agencies and organizations working in humanitarian settings at global, regional, and local levels. The end-users of this manual - SRH coordinators and health program managers - were consulted as a first step in the process and were kept in mind throughout the development of this resource. Feedback was solicited both through formal evaluations and informally via IAWG member organizations, and during workshops, conferences, and meetings. In addition to technical updates, users of the manual working in a range of countries and settings expressed the need for simplified language, enhanced linkages between topics and chapters, and incorporation of case studies and programmatic examples to guide implementation. The revision was led by an Inter-Agency Field Manual Taskforce, a body comprising 56 individuals from 21 organizations. The 2.5 years revision process was led by an IAFM consultant who reported to the IAWG secretariat and Steering Committee. Technical sub-working groups of the IAWG led the revision of relevant chapters, appointing a point person/people for their respective chapters responsible for consolidating feedback from sub-working group members and external experts as needed. The final step in the revision process involved a technical review by individuals from the World Health Organization (WHO) and sign off by the full IAWG Steering Committee. Thus, the revised Field Manual represents the consensus positions of representatives from a wide cross‐section of agencies working on sexual and reproductive health in the humanitarian sector.

The Minimum Initial Service Package for SRH is the third chapter in the Field Manual. This chapter describes the humanitarian response to the SRH needs of populations at the onset of an emergency (within 48 hours wherever possible) and defines which SRH services are most important in preventing morbidity and mortality, while protecting the right to life with dignity, particularly among women and girls, in humanitarian settings. It is important to transition from the MISP to comprehensive SRH as soon as the situation allows and in fact, planning for comprehensive SRH services is the 6th objective of the MISP standard. The MISP chapter provides recommendations on how to transition from the MISP to comprehensive SRH services for the recovery phase or during chronic or protracted crisis situations. In addition, each technical chapter of the Field Manual reiterates related MISP programming to reduce morbidity and mortality in the acute phase of an emergency in addition to detailing the comprehensive programming which should be initiated as soon as the situation allows.

In addition to technical and clinical updates, the most significant change to the MISP is a new objective on preventing unintended pregnancy. In addition, the MISP objective relating to planning for the transition to comprehensive SRH services has been further developed and includes specific reference to health system building blocks, intended to strengthen and expedite the transition from the MISP to comprehensive services. Finally, the 2018 MISP Objectives are accompanied by a note indicating the importance of ensuring that safe abortion care, to the full extent of the law, is available in health centers and facilities.

The SRH lead agency, the SRH Coordinator, implementers, and service providers should ensure that additional priority services are available at the onset of a crisis when capacity already exists to offer them. When existing capacity is not present, these services should be made available once implementation of the MISP priority activities is underway, ideally within three months after the onset of an emergency, if not sooner. These services should be prioritized and must be advocated for and included when transitioning to comprehensive SRH services, based on their critical contribution to protecting the lives and dignity of women and girls. Safe abortion care to the full extent of the law is an additional priority of the MISP standard in the 2018 Field Manual.

Currently, Spanish, Arabic, French, and English hard copies of the manual are available. Please complete the contact form to request copies of the Field Manual. Please note that at this time agencies and individual are responsible for shipping and all related fees.

Yes! Currently, the IAFM is available in Arabic, French. and Spanish. Learn how to access these versions.

Because of the extensive collaboration that goes into the IAFM, not all corrections can be made immediately. All corrections will be collected and considered when revisions take place. You can submit questions using the contact form.

If your organization has updated a resource listed within the IAFM, please let me know! You can submit your updated resource using the contact form.

Yes! The full IAFM is available for download in English, French, and Arabic in the bar at the top of the Preface. You can download individual chapters in each language from the top bar from within any section of the chapter.

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