Help Rohingya Refugees Become New Moms Safely

Ukhiya, COX'S BAZAR — In a quiet corner of Friendship Hospital, under the soft whir of ceiling fans and the hushed urgency of midwives, a mother lay still—her body exhausted, her heart racing with both fear and hope.

$100 funds a community midwife for one month, ensuring women have skilled care before, during, and after childbirth—when every second counts.

Earlier that day, Rahima*, 36, arrived at the hospital in critical condition, referred from another health facility. By the time she reached Friendship Hospital—supported by UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency—her situation was dire. She was diagnosed with moderate anemia and signs of fetal distress. Meconium in the amniotic fluid signaled an emergency: the lives of her unborn babies were at immediate risk.

The medical team didn't hesitate. An emergency cesarean section was performed. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary—three cries: fragile, uneven, but alive. Triplets—two boys and a girl—were born into the world.

The boys, weighing just 3 pounds, 15 ounces and 4 pounds, 2 ounces, were cold and unable to feed. Their sister, born at 4 pounds, 7 ounces., was alert and stable. In a region where access to maternal healthcare is a daily challenge, the safe delivery of 3 premature babies to a mother with anemia could have ended in heartbreak—but it didn't. Instead, it became a story of survival, strength, and the power of care.

For clinics like Friendship Hospital to be ready for emergencies like Rahima's, they need supplies, medications, and equipment on hand at all times.

$150 can help provide what clinics need to manage life-threatening obstetric emergencies.

The 2 boys were immediately transferred to the Special Care Newborn Unit (SCANU)—supported by UNFPA to strengthen maternal and newborn health services in the region. There, they received round-the-clock specialized care: placed under radiant warmers to regulate body temperature, nurtured with Kangaroo Mother Care, and fed breast milk drop by drop through a small dropper.

For four days, their mother remained nearby—watching, praying, holding them close, and slowly helping them grow stronger.

When her sons were finally placed back in her arms—stable, safe, and reunited with their sister—it was not just a joyful reunion. It was a powerful reminder of what's possible when women have access to quality maternal and newborn healthcare, especially in a humanitarian setting.

Investing in mothers, protecting futures

This story is more than a medical milestone. It is a portrait of maternal strength and of health workers who meet every emergency with skill, compassion, and commitment.

In places like Ukhiya, where crisis and displacement stretch resources thin, Friendship Hospital stands as a lifeline. Operating around the clock, it delivers emergency obstetric care, essential reproductive healthcare, and support for survivors of violence—serving both Rohingya refugees and host communities alike.

Every emergency cesarean performed, every newborn delivered safely, every mother supported is proof of what's possible when we prioritize maternal health.

For $15, you can provide Emergency Birth Kits for 3 mothers—helping ensure safer deliveries even when hospitals are miles away.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

When Fatema arrived at the Baharchora Union Health and Family Welfare Center in Cox’s Bazar, she was suffering from repeated convulsions caused by severe pregnancy-related hypertension. Every second mattered. Her life—and her baby’s—depended on the swift action of skilled hands.

Midwife Supervisor Porna immediately recognized the signs of eclampsia, one of the leading causes of maternal death in Bangladesh. Acting quickly, she guided her team to assess Fatema’s condition and stabilize her breathing and circulation. Drawing on the emergency eclampsia box, stocked with lifesaving medicines such as magnesium sulfate, labetalol, and hydralazine, Porna and her team were able to stop the convulsions and stabilize both mother and baby.

This decisive use of magnesium sulfate—a medicine that prevents fatal seizures in eclampsia—shows how quality maternal healthcare supplies save lives. Other essential medicines, including oxytocin to manage postpartum hemorrhage and modern contraceptives, are also reaching frontline facilities through strengthened supply chains, helping ensure women receive both lifesaving care and reproductive healthcare options.

$150 can provide supplies, medications, and equipment to help clinics manage life-threatening obstetric emergencies.

Once Fatema’s condition was under control, Porna knew she needed to be referred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for further care and possible surgery. Before the ambulance departed, she made sure an emergency birth kit was included in case delivery occurred en route.

Her foresight proved vital. While being transported to the hospital, Fatema went into active labor. Following Porna’s training and guidance, the referral midwife safely delivered a healthy baby girl in the ambulance using the emergency birth kit, ensuring a clean and safe birth. By the time they reached the hospital, both mother and newborn were stable and in good health.

$15 can provide emergency birth kits for three mothers, helping ensure safer deliveries when hospitals are out of reach.

Through support from the European Union, UNFPA and its partners continue to strengthen emergency obstetric and newborn care in Cox’s Bazar. Facilities are staffed with trained midwives, equipped with emergency supplies, and connected to reliable referral systems. The goal is simple and urgent: every woman, no matter where she lives, should be able to give birth safely and with dignity.

This work is part of a broader 12-month initiative valued at more than $1 million, funded by the European Union with additional support from other donors. The project strengthens the reproductive healthcare supply chain, helping ensure uninterrupted access to essential supplies for nearly 180,000 people, including Rohingya refugees and members of host communities.

Midwives like Porna are often the difference between life and death for mothers and babies. Porna’s experience is a powerful reminder that preparation, teamwork, and access to the right care save lives. Every well-equipped midwife is not just a caregiver, but a lifeline for mothers and babies across Cox’s Bazar.

$400 can help fund a community midwife for one month, ensuring women have skilled care before, during, and after childbirth—when every second counts.