Poor and inaccessible health care services, particularly at primary level, are the main obstacles to improving the health of vulnerable groups and marginalised communities. Even when the national authorities have adequate health strategies, implementation at local level is often hampered by multiple obstacles. People rarely know what services are offered or are unable to claim and use them. Other major health determinants, such as water, sanitation and health literacy, depend on the environment and people’s possibilities to manage their lives.

Natural disasters and conflicts have an especially negative impact on poverty-stricken people, who tend to live in exposed regions with few resources and little capacity to reduce risks, take preventive action or respond adequately. The authorities in charge of protection are often not fully able to take effective and appropriate action. The negative interplay between poverty and disasters thus holds back sustainable improvements in the lives of the affected population.

Vulnerable groups and communities enjoy a healthy and safe living. They have access to good quality health care and are able to have an impact on health determinants and to demand their right to health. They have the capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters appropriately.

Vulnerable and marginalized groups and communities (indigenous people, women, adolescents, the elderly, stigmatised groups, disaster / conflict-affected communities).

Vulnerable groups and communities have improved access to good quality health care.

The local community is able to develop and implement preventive and health promotion measures and to influence factors affecting health.

Local health committees and community-based organisations are recognised by the health authorities and external stakeholders as valid counterparts.

Communities and authorities in risk-prone areas are able to mitigate risks and, in the event of a disaster, save lives and protect livelihoods.

The SRC’s partners have sustainable institutional capacities to effectively implement programmes. They engage in dialogue with the relevant authorities and work in alliance with other development stakeholders.

Expected results:  

Training/capacity-building for volunteers and community health workers, traditional birth attendants, staff of health care centres, local health committees.

Rehabilitation/improvement of basic health infrastructure and development of drinking water and sanitation facilities.

Health promotion on healthy lifestyles, sexual and reproductive health, infectious diseases, etc.

Establishment of early warning systems in disaster-prone areas

Capacity-building for community-based groups and partner organisations.

Results from previous phases:  

Improved access (including home care services in Eastern Europe) to primary health care services, particularly among women, children and the elderly, in programme areas.

Local health comittees and volunteers are recongnised and actively involved in the local health system, contributing to more effective implemention of national health promotoin strategies.

In 2013, 700’000 people in 14 countries were supported in their efforts to reduce risks in disaster prone regions and streghen resilience to mitigate impact of future diasters.

Increased operational and structural capacity to link relief, rehabilitation and development interventions (e.g. Mali, South Sudan, Lebanon, Bosnia Herzogovina).

Phase 2 01.01.2015 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)