Three earthquakes struck the western region of Afghanistan last October. Nearly 90% of the people killed were women and children, who were home while men were away at work.

Hanifa was pregnant when earthquakes struck. As her house fell to pieces, she took shelter in a cramped tent. Gripped by fear and uncertainty, she was beginning to experience contractions.

In the wake of earthquakes, UNFPA established mobile units staffed by midwives who offered maternal and reproductive health services and essential medicines and supplies.

Hanifa received lifesaving support from one of those midwives, Rahna. She was dispatched to guide Hanifa through the labor process and safely deliver her baby.

“At first when those pains hit me, I felt so lost and hopeless. But then Rahan the midwife arrived like an angel. She held my hand, and her words were like a soothing balm for my fears,” Hanifa told us.

Rahna shared her joy: “It was a challenging situation, but when I saw the relief on Hanifa’s face as she held her baby, I felt a profound sense of pride. In the midst of disaster, we brought a glimmer of hope.”

Thanks to donations from supporters like you, UNFPA has maintained a longstanding presence in Afghanistan — even through turbulent political circumstances. So when earthquakes struck, UNFPA was able to immediately offer crucial services to women — whose reproductive health needs are often overlooked when catastrophe strikes.

There’s no predicting when earthquakes will strike and when women will be forced to give birth in the most dire conditions. But your gifts ensure that UNFPA can be there when it happens.

Before Mother’s Day, will you make a gift to help deploy more midwives around the world to assist with safe deliveries? Your gifts ensure we can be there for every woman and girl wherever help is needed most:

Thank you for supporting this lifesaving work.

— USA for UNFPA