Obstetric fistula is preventable and treatable. Yet thousands of women and girls suffer from the painful realities of living with it. Let UNFPA—the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency—explain the traumatic consequences of this serious childbirth injury and why we need to end fistula.

“In every crisis the country faces, it is the midwives who carry the burden.”

With over 3 million people in Somalia displaced, many pregnant women have limited or no access to healthcare.

See how midwives like Nadiifo step up to provide life-saving support.
 

Hundreds of Afghan women are crossing the border with Pakistan daily, seeking safety after leaving everything behind.

Many are pregnant and terrified.

Hear how UNFPA—the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency—is supporting them from our Deputy Executive Director (Management) Andrew Saberton.

Giving birth shouldn't be a fight for survival.

In Gaza, Nisma had to flee her home pregnant and now struggles to feed her newborn.

Hear her story and see how UNFPA—the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency—is supporting mothers during humanitarian crises.

Florence is a midwife supported by UNFPA—the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency—in Chad.

Over 13,000 people, including many pregnant women, have been displaced by severe flooding across the country. 

Now more than ever, her life-saving work is necessary.

See how Florence is making motherhood safer for pregnant women affected by this humanitarian crisis.

“When the floods hit us, it was two weeks before my expected delivery date.”

Fatima, one of our heroic community mobilizers in Nigeria, is among the many expectant mothers affected by the recent flooding in the northern part of the country.

See her story and how UNFPA—the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency—is responding to the crisis.  

During her recent visit to Bangladesh, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem met three young women who are helping mothers deliver their babies safely in the district of Gaibandha, in the far northwest of the country.

In this video, she explains how midwives are making a difference in this remote area, with support from UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.

Learn more about how UNFPA supports midwifery around the world.

Over 84,000 pregnant women in Haiti, like Mariline, lack secure access to health services due to ongoing gang violence.

See how UNFPA—the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency—is taking action to make motherhood safer and stay up to date on our ongoing humanitarian response.

After 13 years of conflict, midwives in northwest Syria are saving lives.

See how crucial midwives are to ensuring pregnant women in need can give birth safely and find out more about how UNFPA—the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency—is supporting women and girls in Syria. Learn more. 

“Most babies will die.”

There aren’t enough ventilators at Al-Emirati Hospital in Rafah, Gaza to support the babies being born there.

Let Dr. Ahmed Al-Shaer, Deputy Head of the Incubator Care Unit at the hospital, describe the desperate situation and see how UNFPA—the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency—is responding to mothers and babies in need.