GATE

Menstruation in US Emergency Preparedness & Response

Millions of adolescent girls and women are estimated to be impacted by disasters across the United States (US) each year. For those who menstruate, displacement or disruption due to a diversity of disasters, including floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, and also pandemics, may negatively impact their menstrual health and hygiene (MHH). Those sheltering in place or displaced from their homes to emergency shelters or temporary housing, may face difficulty accessing the menstrual materials and safe, private, clean toilets, bathing, and laundering facilities are needed.

Building on our prior work exploring the MHH needs of displaced adolescent girls and women in global humanitarian contexts, the GATE team explored how MHH is currently incorporated into US disaster preparedness and response at national, state and local levels. The resulting guidance and tools were informed through original research and collaboratively developed through two rounds of review by 30+ practitioners. These resources are intended to provide practical support for agencies, organizations, and community partners seeking to strengthen the integration of menstrual health into emergency preparedness and response.

Full list of tools (coming soon!): 

  • Guidance note
    • Annex 1: Menstrual Product and Supportive Supply Distributions
    • Annex 2: Estimating Menstrual Product Quantities and Planner Tool
    • Annex 3: MHH Illustrations and Visuals
    • Annex 4: MHH Workforce Management: Training, Tabletop Exercises
  • Best Practices Checklist
  • MHH Checklist for Shelter Managers
  • MHH Checklist for Volunteers
  • MHH Checklist for Making Donations
  • MHH Checklist for Receiving Donations
  • Preparedness Wizard (for sheltering in place)

These resources are currently being finalized and will be available soon. Please sign up here to be notified when they are published. 

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