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. She fought tirelessly for her patients, but, she explained, climate disasters and conflict put lives on the line.

“Survival hinged on pure luck, for both mother and child.”

UNFPA refurbished the health center where Mona works with medicine and supplies and supported training sessions for health care workers. Maternal death rates have since dropped and dozens of newly trained midwives now offer a comprehensive range of services.

Now, as head of the midwifery department, Mona is grateful for the change: “After the devastation of conflict and climate disasters, it felt like a dream. Families in the region, displaced people fleeing war and floods, were able to find solace here.”

Today is World Population Day, a day on which we’re recommitting to creating a safer, healthier world for every woman and girl by training and deploying midwives to Yemen and other regions where childbirth is dangerous and maternal healthcare is inaccessible.

Well-trained midwives like Mona could prevent two-thirds of all maternal and newborn deaths worldwide. But right now, there is a global shortage of 900,000 midwives, including in the most dangerous places to be a mother, like Yemen.

This World Population Day, make a gift to help us close the global gap in midwives. Your donation will support midwives and deliver lifesaving sexual and reproductive health care in Yemen and wherever support is needed most.

Thank you for being there for women and girls — today and every day.

Sincerely,

Anu Surendran
Chief Executive Officer
USA for UNFPA