Yemen has one of the highest maternal death rates in the world, and only one out of five functioning facilities currently offers maternal and newborn health services. 17.8 million people need health care assistance in 2024, including an estimated 5.5 million women in need of reproductive health services.

When Mona began working as a midwife in her local health center in Yemen 30 years ago, she was the first.

“Back then, our area was a world away from health care. Women faced pregnancy without proper care or follow-up. The traditional midwife, with all her goodwill, was limited in resources,” Mona told us. “Many births ended in complications, sometimes tragically. The city hospital was out of reach due to cost, transportation and sheer lack of awareness.”

“Survival hinged on pure luck, for both mother and child,” confirmed one of Mona’s patients.

But now, when devastating storms strike or conflict breaks out, midwives are most often the first responders, representing the single-most effective way to avoid preventable maternal deaths. That’s only possible because of your support.

UNFPA has reached over 350,000 people in Yemen with lifesaving reproductive health care, protection, and information, including support for over 100 health facilities.

Midwives are a critical part of this response, as providers of culturally sensitive care, as community leaders, and as emergency responders.

But the world is facing a shortage of nearly one million midwives: A lack of international commitment to invest in their training, development and support limits their reach and endangers the women and girls who rely on them. That’s where your generous support comes in:

Will you make a gift to help deploy midwives and deliver maternal health care in Yemen and across the globe to help mothers give birth safely? $100 can provide a midwife with the necessary training she needs to save lives.

Thank you for being there for women and girls.

— USA for UNFPA