Conference Proceedings 2000
Findings On Reproductive Health Of Refugees 
And Displaced Populations

Washington DC   |   December 5-6, 2000

Co-hosted by InterAction and The Global Health Council

Dear Colleagues:

Enclosed, please find the proceedings of the Reproductive Health Response in Conflict Consortium's Research Conference 2000:  Findings on Reproductive Health of Refugees and Displaced Populations.  On behalf of the RHR Consortium and Conference 2000 co-hosts, Global Health Council and InterAction, I would like to thank you for your interest and participation in this first-ever conference on applied research, program findings and use of data to improve reproductive health programs serving populations in crisis throughout the world.  

Two-hundred and fifty people from 27 countries, representing refugees, local and international nongovernmental organizations, host governments, UN agencies and donors, participated in Conference 2000, reflecting tremendous concern for the reproductive health of refugees and internally displaced populations.  The success of Conference 2000 can be attributed to the growing recognition of the right of refugees and displaced populations to reproductive health services and the increased collaborative initiatives of local and international organizations with universities, researchers and donors to conduct research and document program findings.  

Conference 2000 findings indicate that over the past seven years there has been an increase in reproductive health services provided for refugee and internally displaced populations, particularly in stable settings.  However, it is important to remember that this is not the universal experience of refugees, particularly those in the less stable settings of the world's new and chronic emergencies.  More must be done to increase refugees' and internally displaced persons' access to comprehensive reproductive health services.  

We trust that these conference proceedings will be valuable in your work supporting and providing improved reproductive health services for men, women and adolescent refugees and internally displaced persons.   

Sincerely,

Sandra K. Krause
Director, Reproductive Health Project
Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children

March 16, 2001

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