Let us tell you about UNFPA’s Bulengo camp.

The Bulengo camp is currently sheltering over 100,000 people displaced by the deepening crisis in eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Millions have been caught up in the violence and are increasingly vulnerable to climate disasters, disease outbreaks and a severe lack of basic services.

For the estimated 220,000 pregnant and displaced women, of whom more than 4,500 will give birth each month with no safe refuge or secure access to health care, the situation is critical.

Since it was set up in February, the clinic has recorded zero maternal deaths — a staggering achievement in itself but especially so in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which has one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates.

Supporting an average of four deliveries per day, the presence of midwives at the mobile clinic can often mean the difference between life and death. So far for every pregnant woman in this displacement camp, it has meant life.

But the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is only intensifying. To continue safeguarding unhindered access to critical sexual and reproductive health services and help women and girls live free from violence, UNFPA needs to raise $18 million over the next 6 months.

Will you help chip away towards our goal with a gift to support maternal health and safe births?

Although heavily pregnant and in pain, Kaindo waited patiently along with dozens of other women at the Bulengo camp for people displaced by fierce fighting in the DRC’s North Kivu province. The women were hoping to be seen by a team of midwives at a mobile clinic run by UNFPA.

Believing she had another month to go, the young mother-to-be was surprised to learn she was in fact full term at nine months pregnant. Luckily for Kaindo and her baby, the delivery went smoothly and the mobile health team ensured they were safe to be released.

"When she arrived, we wanted to examine the cervix," said Ms. Gasana, one of the midwives. "But suddenly her water broke and I noticed the baby's head... 15 minutes later, she gave birth."

One of the only options for thousands of women and girls to access essential sexual and reproductive health care, the clinic is one of three set up by UNFPA in displacement sites in North Kivu province. The facilities support pregnant women and newborns in addition to providing medical treatment for survivors of violence and referrals to legal and psychological services.

Skilled midwives are available and equipped to meet women's and newborns’ needs 24 hours a day, every day. "It's a relief for pregnant women and survivors of violence — they can now access health care without having to travel long distances," explained Sifa, another midwife. "As an internally displaced person myself, working at the mobile clinic means I can continue to practice my profession and assist these displaced women."

The harsh truth is that even where these services are available, reaching them can be impossible or fraught with danger. That means more women could die during pregnancy and childbirth and there are increased vulnerabilities to sexually transmitted infections, perpetuating cycles of poverty, and gender inequality.

Women and girls are urgently counting on your gifts to access lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services. Will you make a gift to deliver lifesaving care to displaced women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond?

Thank you for being there for women and girls — today and always.

— USA for UNFPA