REPSSI has established a programme in humanitarian emergency responses, responding to drought and Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe and to enhance SRHR outcomes in protracted refugee settings in Uganda

REPSSI Zimbabwe was among the first responders when cyclone Idai struck in March, 2019.  The programme has expanded to three affected districts with support from UNICEF, CBM and SDC.  The programme includes:

• Provision of psychological first aid
• Training of stakeholders in Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), and Dialogues
• Training nurses and other health workers in mental health, and use of the mhGAP tool
• Development of a community conversation guide on mental health to raise awareness of the need for support and to reduce stigma and use of this resource in communities
• Training nurses and teachers on mainstreaming PSS into their work, with an emphasis on support for recovery from the cyclone, menstrual hygiene and PSEA
• Support to adolescent mothers

REPSSI Uganda project will include:

• Establishing clubs for girls and boys to enhance social connectedness, build their psychosocial skills and share information on sexuality
• Training health care workers to mainstream PSS into provision of SRH information and services to adolescents
• Partnering with faith-based organizations and traditional leaders to hold community conversations with parents and community to build social cohesion – Social Connectedness

Regionally REPSSI facilitated the establishment of the regional East and Southern Africa Community of Practice for MHPSS in emergencies and participates in the MHPSS.net board, and global IASC working group on MHPSS.