In December 2014, a camp for internally displaced people in Shingjai, Kachin, was affected by fire. Eighty three households were left with nothing. When an emergency strikes, UNFPA seeks to target the most vulnerable; particularly pregnant women, women who have just given birth, and girls. UNFPA achieves this with the provision of a Dignity Kit. The distribution of Dignity Kits is a critical component of any emergency response to ensure the dignity of women and girls is preserved.
Following the fire in Shingjai, Kachin, UNFPA worked with the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) to compile a list of affected women and girls (aged twelve years and above) who resided in the camp. UNFPA also sensitised KBC about the contents of the Dignity Kit in preparation for distribution, as any distribution must be accompanied by a sensitisation session for women and girls to reemphasise the importance of using the items in the kit for daily hygiene, well-being and overall health. As a result of this collaboration, UNFPA organised a joint distribution with KBC on 16th January 2015 and provided 140 Dignity kits to the Camp Management Committee, specifying the intended recipients. UNFPA was able to respond quickly as a result of the prepositioning of dignity kits in the region.
Five items commonly included in these kits are maternity napkins, underwear, bath soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste. Through consultations with target groups from different camps in the region over the past twelve months, UNFPA has revised the contents of dignity kits to better meet the basic needs of women and girls. A number of items have since been added including shampoo, toilet paper and a bath towel.
The purpose is to provide vulnerable women and girls with the capacity to protect and empower themselves in camp settings. One dignity kit is sufficient for one woman or girl to cover their immediate needs for 2 months. The items in the dignity kits are essential to meet the basic needs of women from any culture and in any situation.
UNFPA will make a follow up visit to the camp to monitor whether the Dignity Kits have been distributed to the targeted women and girls in the camp and to determine whether the contents are meeting basic needs and are being used appropriately.
