Help Pregnant Moms Give Birth Safely in Disasters

Years of conflict in South Sudan has left more than 5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Adama Dieng, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, recently said “there is a strong risk of violence escalating along ethnic lines, with the potential for genocide”.

Leaving the danger in South Sudan along with many others, the Anduga family fled across the Nimbule border to escape from and settle in Maaji, one of the numerous refugee settlements throughout the Adjumani District in Northern Uganda.

Although the Anduga family arrived safely in Uganda, their worries and fears did not disappear. Ms. Anduga fled while pregnant with her third child and was unsure about giving birth in this new environment. Fortunately, Ms. Anduga was approached by a community volunteer and notified about the life-saving services provided by UNFPA to ensure safe births, even in this humanitarian setting.

Both Mr. and Ms. Anduga went to a nearby UNFPA supported health facility for pre-natal care and went back the morning Ms. Anduga went into labor. The midwife on duty made sure that she gave birth to a healthy baby girl with no complications.

Now both Mr. and Ms. Anduga spread the word about UNFPA supported health facilities throughout the refugee settlement to ensure all refugees have access to proper care and safe births.

"I will continue to encourage my fellow men to escort their wives during antenatal care visits and during labor so that they understand what women go through during this process," Mr. Anduga said. "Most importantly, women require special care during these times."

UNFPA provides a wide range of support beyond safe births to South-Sudan refugees living in the Adjumani District of Uganda. This includes strengthening the health system, providing health care and education, and preventing and responding to gender-based violence. In addition, UNFPA distributes reproductive health kits to healthcare workers and supplies dignity kits, which contain vital hygiene items including menstrual pads and soap to women and girls.
 

A donation of only $25 can provide one woman in a humanitarian setting with a dignity kit that provides hygiene essentials for six months, ensuring that she is able to maintain her dignity and health in emergency situations.