Giving Compass' Take:

• Jenni Lee of the United Nations Foundation explains why girls and women impacted by natural and human-made disasters have specific medical and safety needs.

• How can philanthropy support women and girls in crises? How can donors ensure that their funds are being properly directed?

• Find out why donating to community foundations is an impactful way to support disaster relief.

Imagine being pregnant in a refugee camp. Or being a young girl separated from her family after a natural disaster and at risk of sexual violence.

We want to make sure every woman and every girl affected by a crisis has the protection and services required for her health and dignity.

Girls and women in emergency settings – grappling with the effects of disaster, conflict, and violence – have specific needs that are often overlooked, yet essential to their lives and livelihoods.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) supports reproductive health care, access to contraceptives, gender violence prevention, and mental health to girls and women in underserved regions and emergency situations.

There are so many countries in crisis now – the highest number ever of people displaced and the highest number ever of people living in an emergency with humanitarian needs.

Now, if we’re speaking specifically about women and girls, we have over 200 million women and girls of childbearing age, that means they’re between 15 and 49, and almost 35 million women who are pregnant in 15 of the least peaceful countries in the world.

Read the full interview with Ugo Daniels on women's need during a crisis by Jenni Lee at United Nations Foundation.