UNFPA Yemen:Two Mothers, One Struggle: Surviving Childbirth in Yemen

Marib/Hadramout - In Yemen, where more than a decade of conflict has displaced over 5.2 million people—80 percent of them women and children—giving birth has become a matter of survival. For women like Hala and Wijdan, motherhood begins not in safety, but amid war, poverty, and uncertainty.

Giving Life, Fighting for Survival

At 28, Hala fled the conflict in Amran Governorate and now lives with her family in a displacement camp in Marib. Pregnant with twins, she faced hunger, fear, and a lack of medical care. When labor began, neighbors urged her to reach Mohammed Ha’el Hospital, supported by UNFPA and funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid.

When Hala arrived—exhausted and terrified—the medical team immediately took action. The examination revealed that both babies were in breech position, a life-threatening complication.

“It was a race against time,” recalled one of the attending nurses. “But we had the equipment, the training, and the will to save her.”

Moments later, Hala held her newborn sons in her arms. “Without this hospital and the people who helped me, I don’t know if I would be alive today,” she said. The presence of the facility and the availability of free emergency obstetric care turned what could have been a tragedy into one of survival and hope.

Hundreds of kilometers away in Hadramout Governorate, 16-year-old Wijdan faced a similar struggle. Displaced from Hajjah, she arrived at community midwife Noor Hadi’s door in labor—terrified and exhausted.

“She was just a child herself, and she had no idea what to expect,” said Noor. Acting quickly, the midwife provided care, guiding Wijdan through the delivery with compassion and skill.

“I didn’t think I would survive,” Wijdan whispered. “But thanks to the midwife, I did. She saved me and my baby.”

Both women survived because they reached skilled care in time—something many in Yemen cannot.

In Yemen, childbirth is often a matter of life and death. Every day, three women die during childbirth—80 percent from causes that are almost entirely preventable. In 2026, 5.5 million people require access to reproductive health services, yet 40 percent of health facilities are partially functioning or closed, and only one in five offers maternal health services. Rising food insecurity has also left over 1.3 million pregnant and breastfeeding women malnourished.

A Lifeline of Support

UNFPA, together with local partners such as the Building Foundation for Development and with financial support from the European Union, works to ensure that women and girls have continuous access to life-saving reproductive health services, even in the most remote and conflict-affected areas. This includes supporting emergency obstetric and newborn care units, training midwives, supplying essential medicines and equipment, and deploying mobile clinics to reach displaced communities.

In 2025, UNFPA reached 1.5 million women and girls with life-saving reproductive health services, supporting nearly 80,000 safe births across 72 health facilities.

However, these services are now at risk of closure. In 2026, UNFPA requires US$71.9 million to continue providing reproductive health and protection services in Yemen, but the response is only 13 percent funded. Without urgent support, thousands of pregnant women and newborns could lose access to the care that keeps them safe and alive.

“Every mother deserves to give birth safely,” said Noor. “No matter where she comes from—her life matters.”