“This week, I assisted 19 deliveries – two of which were life-threatening emergencies,” said Espérance, a midwife at Kyeshero General Hospital in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. “We're working in difficult conditions, with the fear of not being able to save everyone. But we're holding on.”

Each year, three quarters of all maternal deaths occur in just 25 countries, the majority of which are in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Beset by conflict and climate disasters, most also rely on foreign aid structures to support their health systems – but as humanitarian funding is slashed across the board, life-saving services like those offered in Kyeshero are being severely pared back.

“We're not turning anyone away, but our capacity is exceeded,” explained Dr. Fabrice Bishenge, the hospital's director. “We’re lacking everything, from blood bags to medicines. With the support of UNFPA and other partners we can still provide services, but for how long?”  

With the help of UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive agency, the Kyeshero hospital is one of the few facilities in the conflict-ravaged North Kivu Province offering maternal care. As hundreds of thousands of people are displaced and cannot access even the most essential services, most hospitals have been forced to close due to insecurity, lack of supplies and staff who are displaced themselves.a