Amino lives in the Somali region of Ethiopia, one of the areas devastated by a grueling drought across the Horn of Africa that’s affected more than 36 million people and counting.

Pregnant for the fourth time, her first three pregnancies ended in heartbreak: One died before term and the others were stillborn after she went into labor at home without any professional help.

Many health services, including for critical maternal care and family planning, have been suspended or severely limited in Ethiopia following years of conflict, drought, and now devastating flash flooding.

So when Amino went into labor, heroic action from UNFPA-supported midwives helped her avoid another stillbirth and nurse her newborn back to health. “Saving the life of this baby was a miracle and a blessing for my family. I am immensely grateful,” Amino told us.

Midwives and volunteers trained by UNFPA reach women like Amino through local support groups and by going door-to-door to raise awareness about the availability of lifesaving trained birth attendants at local health facilities.

As record drought cripples Ethiopia, your gifts ensure women and girls can be connected with the lifesaving health care they desperately need.

Will you make an emergency gift to deliver maternal care to the women who need it most in Ethiopia and around the world?

Over 260,000 women are currently pregnant in the Somali region alone, many of them displaced and at dire risk of malnourishment. Forced to migrate in search of water and food, thousands of pregnant women and new mothers go without access to even the most basic health care.

In 2023 alone, UNFPA has deployed over 200 trained midwives across five conflict- and drought-affected regions of Ethiopia. Health and outreach workers as well as six maternal health mobile teams have also been deployed to increase awareness and encourage people from crisis-hit communities to seek expert medical care. These services have so far reached over 300,000 women and girls.

But Ethiopia still has the fifth-highest rate in the world of maternal and neonatal deaths and stillborns — so urgent help is needed to prevent more deaths.

Your gifts save lives, which is why we’re asking you today:

Will you rush an emergency gift to deliver lifesaving care to women and girls devastated by drought, conflict, and humanitarian crisis around the world? Millions are counting on your support to get the care they so desperately need.

Thank you for delivering lifesaving care to women and girls in Ethiopia, and around the world. We’re grateful to count on your support.

— USA for UNFPA