I’m Noa, a USA for UNFPA Board Member and a new mom. This Mother’s Day, I wanted to share my experience of giving birth to my daughter, Alma, and what your support means for pregnant women and new moms all over the world.
My pregnancy was incredibly difficult and ended with Alma in the NICU for the first six weeks of her life. Through it all, Alma and I were lucky to be supported by a well-trained care team at one of the top hospitals in New York City. I am deeply aware of how fortunate I was to have access to quality care throughout my pregnancy and delivery. It saved both of our lives.
But as you know, Friend, too many women around the world still lack access to the same lifesaving care. This Mother’s Day, 800 would-be new moms will die from preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications. And the same tragedy will happen again the next day, and the day after that.
Most maternal deaths occur in humanitarian settings, where midwives and emergency care are out of reach. I cannot imagine what it would be like to go through this experience while fleeing violence or living in a refugee camp and without access to care. And thanks to support, countless women have had access to critically needed maternal health services and can’t imagine what that experience would be like either.
More than one-third of women giving birth in Ukraine. War has destroyed more than 1 in 10 health centers in the country, and attacks on those left standing have only intensified.
Every woman who gave birth at a health facility in Yemen. We remain the only provider of sexual and reproductive health care, including critical maternal health services, in the country.
Women living the worst drought in decades in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa. With famine imminent and hunger widespread in the region, pregnancy and childbirth complications resulting from anemia and malnourishment are going up.
Survivors of the earthquakes in Syria and Türkiye earlier this year. UNFPA has delivered mama kits, with diapers, blankets, and baby clothes, to families rebuilding their lives in refugee centers and tent settlements.
Pregnant women displaced by violence in Sudan. UNFPA midwives are providing care to more than 200,000 pregnant women and new moms in capital city alone, despite the conflict.
Your gift will deliver lifesaving sexual and reproductive health care to women and girls in more than 150 countries around the world. Thank you for being there for every woman and girl.
