According to the UN humanitarian agency, ongoing violence in Cameroon's North West and South West Regions has created a fast-growing humanitarian emergency. The crisis has created some 1.9 million Internally Displaced People, a 15-fold increase since 2017. Among them are pregnant women, some of whom have suffered horrific sexual violence. The aim of this project is to help cover prenatal healthcare costs and childbirth for 250 displaced pregnant women in two cities, Bamenda and Yaounde.
IDP pregnant women are amongst the most affected by the ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon. Driven from their communities by conflict, they seek refuge in other towns and cities where they have no source of income. Lack of money means most of them are unable to attend even a single prenatal visit, because 95% of healthcare in Cameroon requires an out-of-pocket payment. Which means their risk of maternal mortality is very high.
Unite For Health Foundation (UHF) operates micro-clinics in Yaounde and Bamenda where a great number of these women are seeking refuge. This project will identify and enroll 250 IDP pregnant women who will be treated at our UHF clinics. Funds generated here for this project will help cover over 50% of the medical bills, while Unite For Health will cover the rest. UHF is already assisting over 100 pregnant women and 55 of them have already given birth to healthy babies.
When a woman's health is in danger, the impact extends to every other member of the family. Other children at home end up not getting fed, they don't get to school and the entire family livelihood is affected. Assisting one woman to give birth might not only save her life but also save the little money she has to care for her newborn baby - as well as her family. Here at UHF we know that women are the backbone of every community so when we empower them, we empower an entire generation. Thank you
