This document is a framework on how to respond to crises that involve maternal and newborn care. This framework will use the response to the COVID-19 infection as an example. In crisis everyone needs to be involved and each health care manager and health care worker needs to: know what to do, (i.e. have clear guidelines on tasks to be performed); have the means to do it (i.e. have resources to perform tasks); and then do it (i.e. monitor and evaluate to ensure tasks are performed). For this, decision making and communication are essential. To make appropriate decisions an advisory team of experts in the field needs to be appointed to advise decision makers. The aim of this document is to facilitate communication and provide information for all levels of care in a crisis involving maternal and neonatal care. COVID-19 is such a crisis. It also contains a checklist and dashboard which will help groups and individuals ensure they have completed the tasks/actions required of them.