Plan International report highlights neglected sexual health needs after Valencia floods

A report titled “On ningú mira” (Where no one looks), released by the NGO Plan International, reveals that the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and young women was largely overlooked during the emergency response to the October 29, 2024, floods in the Horta Sud region.

Based on testimonies from 55 young people and 43 professionals across 12 affected municipalities, the study found that emergency protocols failed to prioritize menstrual hygiene, contraceptive access, and gynecological care. Many young women reported facing significant difficulties, such as managing menstruation without running water for weeks or having to travel to different municipalities to obtain reproductive health services.

The investigation, which received technical support from El Rogley and funding from the Spanish Ministry of Youth and Children, indicates that 76% of those consulted noted difficulties in accessing sexual and reproductive health services within their communities. The report emphasizes that while food and mental health services were established, specific needs regarding female hygiene and reproductive rights were not sufficiently integrated into the disaster response.