Malak was three months pregnant when the war in Gaza began in October 2023. She went from planning the arrival of her first child, to being repeatedly displaced, forcing her to make new plans each time.

Throughout her pregnancy, Malak struggled to access prenatal care. She struggled to find enough food each day.

When Malak’s contractions started, she knew the nearest maternity ward was overwhelmed. She traveled three hours to a different one, and beds were still hard to come by.

“As soon as I sat down, they got me back up from the bed even though I was in labor because there was an emergency case more urgent than mine,” she said.

Malak gave birth to her son, but she now worries about how to keep him warm, fed, and safe.

UNFPA is one of the few organizations working to support women and girls in Gaza, including 155,000 pregnant women and new mothers like Malak living through unimaginable conditions.

Emergency gifts from donors like you have supported more than 10,000 safe births, half of all births in Gaza since October. But support has slowed down, even though humanitarian needs are growing by the day.

Will you be there for women and girls by delivering the gift of lifesaving care today? Your gift will make a world of difference in Gaza and wherever help is needed most.

The suffering must end and peace must prevail. We condemn the violence in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel, including all sexual violence, and echo the UN Secretary-General’s call for a sustained humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages by Hamas.

Thank you for being there.

— USA for UNFPA