COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund

Ipas's COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund supports innovative, fast-moving work to address barriers to abortion care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund supports projects that respond to the pandemic's impact on reproductive health services.

Geographic Scope: Global - Africa, Asia, and Latin America (countries where Ipas works)

Focus Areas:

• Ensuring abortion remains an essential health service during COVID-19
• Providing women with information on safely self-managing abortion with pills
• Supporting government recognition of abortion as an essential health service
• Training and supply provision for abortion providers (including PPE)
• Contraceptive care maintenance during pandemic
• Health worker safety and protection equipment
• Information dissemination through accessible channels (WhatsApp, online platforms)
• Healthcare facility operations maintenance

Eligible Applicants:

• Ipas partner organizations and teams
• Health facilities and health systems
• Community health worker networks
• Women's health organizations

Project Examples Funded:

• PPE distribution to health centers and hospitals in Nepal
• Handwashing basin placement in healthcare facilities (Bangladesh)
• Community agent training for safe abortion information (Bolivia)
• Advocacy for menstrual regulation service restoration (Bangladesh refugee camps)

What They Don't Fund: No restrictions mentioned in documentation

Background: Launched in response to COVID-19 pandemic creating barriers to abortion care, with some politicians attempting to use the crisis to deny reproductive rights.

Application Process

No specific application details are provided in the documentation. Donations/applications appear to be managed directly through Ipas country teams and partner organizations.