As the world reflected on the International Day of Action for Women’s Health yesterday, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is calling attention to the alarming strain on maternal and newborn health services in Za’atari Refugee Camp. With a quarter of the camp’s 70,000 residents being women of reproductive age, a funding crisis is threatening access to essential care for thousands of mothers and newborns.

The IRC’s health clinic, one of just six remaining fully operational clinics in the camp, is working to bridge the gap. In partnership with Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), the IRC aims to support over 23,000 Syrian refugees this year through comprehensive primary, maternal, and reproductive health services. From March to December 2024, the clinic delivered over 33,000 consultations, including more than 1,300 antenatal care visits and 2,400 family planning services.