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Pregnant Women Flee War Zones, Face Harrowing Journeys
18 Nov
Summary
- Pregnant women endure perilous journeys, some walking 40km to escape violence.
- Over 140 pregnant women arrived at al-Dabbah camp after el-Fasher's fall.
- 80% of medical facilities in war-torn Sudanese regions have collapsed.
Pregnant women in Sudan are enduring perilous journeys as they flee escalating conflict, with many arriving at displacement camps in critical condition. Nadra Mohamed Ahmed, seven months pregnant, recounted her arduous 40-kilometer trek with two children to reach safety in al-Dabbah, a camp that has since received over 140 pregnant women following the fall of el-Fasher.
The collapse of 80% of medical facilities in war-torn regions has created a dire maternal health crisis. Women are forced to undertake dangerous journeys on foot, facing complications such as severe hemorrhaging and miscarriages. Reports indicate that some women are giving birth on the streets due to the lack of accessible healthcare.
The ongoing conflict, which began in 2023, has displaced millions and devastated the country's infrastructure. Humanitarian groups are highlighting the extreme vulnerability of pregnant and lactating women, who also suffer from rising malnutrition rates, forcing them to forage for food and increasing their risk of violence.
