Yemen Conflict Worsens Maternal Health Crisis Amid Displacement

Escalating military operations along Yemen's western coast have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leading to the displacement of over 145,000 individuals since early September. Health services face collapse, with pregnant women increasingly forced to give birth in conditions lacking basic medical care and safety.

Estimates from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) indicate that approximately 3,200 pregnant women are among the newly displaced. At least 600 of these women require emergency obstetric care this month. This situation unfolds against a backdrop of a fragile health system, where Yemen already records one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the Arab region, with three preventable deaths occurring daily. Millions of women also lack protection from gender-based violence.

Displaced women have recounted harrowing experiences during their flight from conflict zones, with some forced to give birth on roadsides amidst gunfire and without qualified medical assistance. Field testimonies confirm that the lack of shelter, food, and medical care places the lives of mothers and newborns at grave risk. Access to health facilities is further complicated by road blockages or targeted attacks.

Francesco Galtieri, UNFPA Representative in Yemen, warned that years of progress in women's health and dignity are regressing. He emphasized that providing reproductive health and protection services during crises is not a luxury but a life-saving humanitarian imperative. UNFPA is working to deploy community midwives and provide emergency medical supplies, but funding limitations hinder the required response.

UNFPA faces a severe funding deficit, having secured only 20 percent of its $71 million humanitarian response budget for 2026. The fund urgently requires $22.7 million to continue its vital operations over the next three months and expand assistance to the most conflict-affected areas, ensuring essential care for thousands of women and girls.