Publication Date April 1, 2024 Research & Evidence

The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (HDPN) and Applications to Family Planning, Reproductive Health, and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Interventions in Fragile Settings

Numerous approaches have been developed to define the humanitarian-development nexus and more broadly, the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. This report examines the humanitarian-development nexus and its application to health interventions in South Sudan, specifically family planning, reproductive health, and maternal, newborn, and child health (FP/RH/MNCH), concluding with recommendations for stakeholders related to health services, institutional architecture, leadership, financing, coordination, and localization.

Publication Date April 1, 2024 Program & Technical Resources

Introduction of the Safe Childbirth Checklist in Fragile Areas in Mali

The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) is a patient safety tool that consolidates essential birth practices to prevent the major causes of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. The tool has been implemented in the southern regions of Mali, with demonstrable results. To address maternal and newborn mortality in areas where MOMENTUM Integrated Health Resilience works, the SCC was implemented in 23 health facilities in the Gao district beginning in December 2022. Post-training follow-up found that 21 facilities used the tool on 1,298 out of 1,698 deliveries (76 percent). 95 percent of users reported that the tool was very useful in demonstrating that SCC use in fragile settings may be feasible and useful to help reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality.

Publication Date March 1, 2024 Program & Technical Resources

Health in Fragile Settings: A Health-Sensitive Conceptual Model of Fragility

This brief presents a health-sensitive conceptual model and typology of fragility, with the aim of improving MOMENTUM’s understanding of fragility and how it impacts health and, in turn, strengthens health programming. The conceptual model and typology proposed here are intended as internal guidance for USAID and USAID partnerships/projects and are designed to inform fragility assessments and contextual analysis as well as monitoring, evaluation, & learning approaches, conflict sensitivity, and exit strategies.

Publication Date March 1, 2024 Program & Technical Resources

Reaching Zero-Dose and Under-Immunized Children in Fragile Settings

This technical brief outlines the rationale and approach that MOMENTUM Integrated Health Resilience is taking with partner countries to accelerate their post-pandemic immunization catch-up and recovery and build the resilience of their national immunization programs. It also provides links to dozens of relevant resources. 

Publication Date February 1, 2024 Research & Evidence

South Sudan Community Health Formative Assessment

This assessment provides an in-depth understanding of the strengths, gaps, and opportunities within the existing community health programs implemented under the Boma Health Initiative (BHI) in South Sudan. Findings from this assessment provide information for planning effective health interventions on voluntary family planning (FP), reproductive health (RH); maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition (MNCHN); and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

Publication Date February 1, 2024 Research & Evidence

Community Health Worker Safety, Resilience and Risk Communication Assessment: Three New Program Components

To design and optimize community health programs in fragile settings, it is critical to adapt and enhance existing assessment tools. To ensure its community health programs are relevant and adapted to the multiple challenges faced by communities, health systems and community health workers (CHWs) in fragile settings, MOMENTUM Integrated Health Resilience has developed three new programs components for the Community Health Worker Assessment and Improvement Matrix (CHW AIM) toolkit: “Systems and Structures for Continuity and Safety during Shocks and Stresses at Community Level,” “Personal Safety and Resilience of CHW,” and “Risk Communication and Community Engagement.” With these additions, MOMENTUM expects to strengthen the role and capacities of CHWs as critical actors in contributing to the resilience of their communities and themselves.

Publication Date February 1, 2024 Research & Evidence

Risk Communication and Community Engagement Resources: A Landscape Analysis of Guidance and Training Materials Supporting Community Health Workers

Risk communication and community engagement is a health strategy and response that is vital for individual, family, and community uptake of essential public health services. This brief provides an overview of existing guidance and training material for community health workers focusing on risk communication and community engagement.

Publication Date January 1, 2024 About MOMENTUM

MOMENTUM Programs in West Africa: Regional Reference Brief

The West Africa Regional Reference Brief summarizes MOMENTUM’s programs and activities implemented in partner countries to improve equitable access to respectful quality maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition, voluntary family planning, and reproductive health care for all individuals and communities. The brief will be updated periodically as project activities evolve throughout the life of the project.

Publication Date December 1, 2023 About MOMENTUM

MOMENTUM Projects in East Africa: Regional Reference Brief

The East Africa Regional Reference Brief summarizes MOMENTUM’s projects and activities in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda to improve equitable access to respectful quality maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition, voluntary family planning, and reproductive health care for all individuals and communities. The brief will be updated periodically as project activities evolve throughout the life of the project.

Publication Date December 1, 2023 Program & Technical Resources

Learning from MOMENTUM: Community Engagement and Systems Strengthening Approaches to Addressing Gender-Based Violence

Published in recognition of the 2023 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign, this brief highlights six innovative approaches—related to community engagement and system strengthening—for addressing GBV. The case studies from three MOMENTUM projects offer practical insights for gender experts, practitioners, and advocates, particularly those working in GBV pre­vention and response, to apply and adapt in their own work.