Mobile clinics on the frontline: Life-saving care in crisis zones

In times of crisis, access to essential health services often becomes challenging. For this reason, UNFPA has introduced mobile clinics into its humanitarian response efforts since 2022. The clinics provide women and girls in crisis-affected communities with vital life-saving services, including maternal health care, family planning, and support for gender-based violence prevention and response.

Since 2023, UNFPA has launched over 65 mobile clinics across 11 countries, including Ukraine, Somalia, and Afghanistan, serving as a critical lifeline in crisis zones.

Increased need for rapid responses
As global emergencies become more frequent and severe, UNFPA is intensifying its supply chain focus on preparedness and proactive measures. To ensure swift deployment of mobile clinics, UNFPA has recently awarded a tender for two types of mobile container units, which can be populated with medical equipment for use as maternal-, obstetric- surgery and general health care clinics. 

Strengthening humanitarian responses through innovation 
UNFPA is taking this forward-thinking step to enhance its capacity to address humanitarian crises with speed and efficiency. These state-of-the-art clinics are designed to deliver life-saving sexual and reproductive health services, even in the most challenging environments.

Initial orders have already been placed for 12 mobile clinics, which will soon be deployed to provide vital health services to communities in Palestine and Sudan. In addition, 9 mobile clinics will be strategically prepositioned, ready to be dispatched immediately when emergencies strike, ensuring that UNFPA can respond without delay.

Building resilience through preparedness
UNFPA’s efforts go beyond emergency response; they are about creating a system of resilience and readiness. By bolstering supply chain and procurement processes, UNFPA is ensuring that essential sexual and reproductive health services are available right from the start of a crisis. This level of preparedness not only helps to mitigate the devastating impact of disasters on health systems but also safeguards the rights of individuals to access critical care.

With preparedness as a cornerstone of its humanitarian strategy, the UNFPA mobile clinics set a powerful example of how innovation can make a tangible difference in the lives of millions around the world.