Salma is from the Mohmand Dara District of Nangarhar but has lived in Pakistan with her family for 15 years. Last week, she found herself back in the soil of her roots as she was among those deported back into Afghanistan in the repatriation drive by Pakistani authorities targeting Afghans.

The deportation did not come as a surprise for Salma as her family members, including her husband, had been the subjects of arrests and detentions by Pakistani authorities since last year. She did not anticipate, though, that she would give birth to a new life as soon as she was back in Afghanistan.

Salma was 38 weeks pregnant – close to a full-term pregnancy – when she travelled from Pakistan to the border with Afghanistan following her deportation.

“It was an arduous journey for me as I was 38 weeks pregnant,” Salma recounted. In no time, she reached the zero point in the Torkham area at the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

Salma began experiencing labour pains while in a tent camp for the returnees at the zero point. “I was confused, scared, and did not know what to do,” she said. “Fortunately, health workers came to provide medical assistance. They brought me to the UNFPA-supported Basic Health Center (BHC) at the Torkham zero point.”

Upon arrival at the clinic, Salma’s abdominal contractions and labour pains were progressing. Midwife Siddiqa also noted that she was in distress. “Aside from the uncertainty of her condition, she was also anxious about family members whom she left behind in Pakistan,” midwife Siddiqa said.