friend, when the sirens first sounded in Ukraine, 265,000 pregnant women suddenly found themselves without access to critical prenatal care or a safe place to give birth.
Many were faced with the devastating decision to either leave their loved ones behind and make the dangerous journey to a neighboring country – or give birth in the subway stations, bomb shelters, and basements where they were taking shelter.
UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health and rights agency, has been on the ground offering support and care to women and girls in Ukraine and those who have fled to surrounding countries. From operating mobile health clinics in Ukraine’s most hard-to-reach areas to ensuring that neighboring countries will care for Ukrainian refugees, UNFPA has worked tirelessly to expand our lifesaving work. But as the war continues, we’re rapidly running out of resources.
Your contribution will go toward helping people like Olga, who was seven months pregnant when bombs first began to fall on her hometown of Ochakiv. Olga had no choice but to make the grueling journey to the Republic of Moldova on foot with all her bags and a sleepy toddler in tow.
When Olga finally reached Moldova, she was admitted to the Balti maternity hospital so doctors could monitor her third trimester. The emotional stress of leaving her family and her home behind, compounded by the physical stress of the journey, had put her health and pregnancy at risk. But, under the hospital’s spectacular care, she gave birth to a healthy daughter.
A large hospital bill would have devasted Olga as she was just getting back on her feet – but her care was free thanks to UNFPA’s work to negotiate free sexual and reproductive health care for Ukrainian refugees.
We've been able to administer lifesaving care to thousands of displaced Ukrainians because of support from caring people like you. But, as the crisis in Ukraine continues with no sign of reprieve, these women and girls need your support.
Your gift will deliver lifesaving sexual and reproductive health care to women and girls in more than 150 countries around the world. Thank you for being there for every woman and girl.
