This increased use reflects a major health success story that has enabled millions of young people to avoid unwanted pregnancy and make choices about their future, but UNFPA said that “for far too many people, the basic human right to choose whether or not to have children continues to be compromised.”

“Contraceptives save lives”

According to UNFPA, the unavailability of contraception leads to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and maternal death rates due to unsafe abortions.

The consequences extend far beyond health, contributing to an increase in teenage pregnancies, school dropouts, and an increased risk of gender-based violence.

“Contraceptives save lives,” reiterated Diene Keita, executive director of UNPA.

In addition, they also generate significant economic benefits.

“Every dollar spent to address unmet need for contraception generates almost $27 in economic benefits,” Ms. Keita said.

Here are five common myths about contraception.

1. Contraception is not safe

Modern forms of contraception are among the “most prescribed and best-studied” medications, according to UNFPA.

The health risks associated with an unintended pregnancy are “significantly higher” than any recommended method of contraception.

2. Using contraception can cause abortion

Contraceptives do not cause abortion or miscarriage; they work by preventing fertilization or ovulation – thus preventing pregnancy from occurring in the first place.

3. Contraception harms your fertility

Contraceptives do not cause infertility. Some hormonal methods (such as injectables) may temporarily delay the resumption of ovulation and menstruation, but they do not cause permanent infertility.

4. Natural family planning methods are safer than hormonal methods

Nowadays, alternative methods of contraception are becoming very popular on social media: cycle tracking methods, fertility awareness methods (i.e. daily temperature checks).

These “natural methods” are “significantly less likely to prevent pregnancy,” UNFPA stressed. “The most effective methods of contraception are modern methods. »

5. You shouldn’t use contraception if you’re single or your partner doesn’t want it

Research shows that young people with access to information and services related to sexual and reproductive health do not increase their sexual activity.

Instead, it gives them the information they need to make responsible decisions.

“Every individual has the right to decide whether or not to become pregnant,” UNFPA said.

No one should ever be pressured to have unprotected sex – a form of reproductive coercion that UNFPA says constitutes abuse.

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Haiti, Cuba and Jamaica all suffered significant damage and loss of life following Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking from the Jamaican capital, Kingston, the representative of the World Food Program (PAM)Alexis Masciarelli said UN News that “our priority at the moment is to reach the most isolated communities”.

WFP has now launched emergency food distributions for the hardest-hit families, and additional relief supplies are expected to arrive in the coming days, the agency reported.

St. Elizabeth Parish – long considered the breadbasket of the country – has been particularly hard hit, with homes, farms and livelihoods destroyed, and many communities still cut off and without electricity.

Food transported by plane

So far, 1,500 people have received food kits containing rice, lentils, canned fish and meat, and vegetable oil, while an additional 2,000 kits have been flown from Barbados to support ongoing relief efforts.

WFP plans to help up to 200,000 people in Jamaica to meet urgent food needs.

In CubaHurricane Melissa caused widespread flooding, power outages and significant damage.

Food distributions have already reached 181,000 people evacuated to shelters, and WFP aims to assist a total of 900,000 people.

In Haitihomes and infrastructure along the southern coast – the hardest hit area – were washed away.

Emergency food distributions reached 12,700 people in the Grand Sud region. WFP plans to help 190,000 people, providing a two-week food ration followed by a month of cash assistance to support recovery.

The challenges ahead

Mr. Masciarelli stressed that the main challenge ahead will be to reach people “in the last mile, that is, those who most need help in areas that remain inaccessible.”

In addition, he highlighted the continued breakdown in communications, with many areas still isolated after the hurricane, making it difficult to assess the needs of the population and monitor the situation on a day-to-day basis.

Reiterating WFP’s commitment to meeting the food needs of the population and supporting relief efforts, the WFP spokesperson acknowledged that the recovery period would most likely be a “very long marathon recovery period.”

On Wednesday, WFP launched an urgent appeal for $74 million to provide lifesaving assistance to 1.1 million people in the Caribbean.

The UN food agency continues to work with governments and partners to ensure the delivery of supplies and emergency assistance to communities in need.

One in two households surveyed reported better access thanks to increased commercial and humanitarian deliveries.

OCHA however, warned that no food aid convoys had reached the north via direct crossings since September 12.

Despite the dire conditions persisting in northern Gaza, the UN agency said that around 90 percent of the estimated 29,000 people who moved within the Gaza Strip this weekend were traveling from the south to the north.

Trucks and supplies

The UN and its partners collected nearly 200 truckloads of essential supplies from Israeli crossing points along the perimeter fence surrounding Gaza on Saturday.

Among the supplies were almost 1,900 tonnes of different food products, wheat flour and more than 100 pallets of food boxes.

Supplies also included more than 1,000 pallets of mattresses, blankets, tents, tarps and winter clothing; 300 pallets filled with hygiene kits, buckets, water cans and jerry cans; 50 pallets of enriched cereals; and some 200 pallets of dignity kits, menstrual health kits and midwifery supplies.

On Sunday – based on initial data – UN teams collected nearly 1,000 pallets of blankets, tents, hygiene kits, water tanks, mats, winter clothing, tarpaulins and jerry cans, as well as a truckload of animal fodder.

“All this data is preliminary and covers the UN and our partners but does not include bilateral donations and the commercial sector,” UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters in New York on Monday.

Meals and nutrition

The UN and its partners support 17 bakeries in Gaza – nine in the south and eight in the north – which produce 150,000 packets of bread every day, according to the latest figures.

“We also support 180 kitchens serving nearly 1,160,000 meals every day,” Mr. Haq continued. “On the nutrition front, we are currently supporting 133 treatment sites, including 20 in Gaza City, where famine was confirmed in August. »

On Saturday and Sunday, teams also delivered 1,000 tarpaulins and 2,500 blankets to people in need.

Since the ceasefire, the United Nations reproductive health agency, UNFPAhas helped around 90,000 women and girls by providing them with reproductive health and hygiene items.

Incubators

This includes the distribution of medical equipment and supplies to 13 health facilities across the Gaza Strip, including incubators and surgical equipment, Haq said.

UNFPA has also distributed thousands of postpartum kits and dignity kits to women and girls.

Meanwhile, renovation is underway at four schools and, over the past three days, the UN and partners have supported the reopening of five temporary learning spaces in Gaza City.