As part of the cooperation program between the Ministry of Health and UNFPA Tunisia CO, and with the support of ASRO, a sensitization and advocacy workshop was held on April 15, 2019, in order to integrate the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) in emergency preparedness plans. The MISP, prescribes a package of priority actions launched upon the declaration of each crisis situation to provide vital services for woman, mother, child and new born Health.

This system finds its relevance in the support of the organizations involved in emergency planning and preparation by providing them with reference tools to be able to draw up comprehensive emergency action plans, integrating actions dedicated to girls and women according to international norms and standards, thus meeting the needs that arise in such situations.

This workshop was attended by representatives of the national army, civil protection, representatives of the ONFP, regional health delegates and officials of the Ministry of Health and representatives of the WHO, allowed. This was an opportunity:

• •To share experiences faced during disaster situations;
• •To explain and discuss basic concepts and tools of MISP;
• •To advocate for a better integration of reproductive health and GBV in crisis situations and therefore in national contingency plan;
• •To describe the coordination mechanism between stakeholders: issues and effective programming.

Following the validation of the new maternal and new born health strategy 2019-2023, UNFPA supported the Primary Health Care department in the organization of a workshop to develop the operational plan of the new strategy.

Held in 29-30 January 2019, the workshop was an opportunity to gather representatives from different sectors and different levels to take part and develop a detailed plan of interventions for the 5 years MNH strategy.

The operational plan covered the following six strategic axes :

• •Improve women and newborns' access to MNHS along a continuum of care ;
• •Strengthen the quality of care services of MNHS ;
• •Strengthen governance and accountability ;
• •Integrating social determinants of health for MNHS care services and multisectoral collaboration ;
• •Develop community participation and social mobilization to promote favorable MNHS behaviors ;
• •Improve monitoring data for decision making and accountability.

A 2 years’ work plan has been detailed alongside with a 5 years’ plan. It is expected that the operational plan will be costed. The strategy will then be presented in a high level meeting for its final political adoption.