Our hearts are broken for all the women and mothers living in war-torn countries.
As conflict escalates in the Gaza strip and tensions continue to rise in the Ukraine and other hotspots around the world, we’re reminded that women and children are the biggest victims of war. In addition to reports of pregnant women and children being killed and enduring traumatic injuries as a result of bombings, street fighting and air raids, we’re reading about pregnant women enduring such extreme and unremitting stress that it’s triggering preterm labor, high blood pressure and other serious complications of pregnancy. We’re reading about children filling up hospital wards with gunshot wounds, missing limbs and horrifying injuries incurred while hiding in their homes during almost constant bombings. The unseen psychological and physical traumas these women and children are experiencing are haunting and will impact generations to come.
With hospitals overflowing with victims of war, beds for pregnant and laboring women are unavailable. With violence in the street becoming more extreme every day, pregnant women and mothers are unable to travel even short distances for medical care for themselves and their children. As their health and healthcare needs go unmet, their risks for complications and dire outcomes rise. During times of war, women are forced to go without prenatal care even when complications arise and to deliver at home or if they’re lucky, in hospitals that are becoming increasingly damaged by bombs. Then, they’ll shelter in place with their newborns and children and hope for refuge from ongoing and escalating violence.
Current statistics say that 155,000 babies were born in 2013 in Israel and approximately 32 babies are born in Palestine for every 1000 people. While humanitarian and relief organizations work under extremely dangerous conditions to provide emergency healthcare for women, children and families during this time of extreme crisis in locations around the world, we know that the health and wellbeing of all mothers and their families will only come with peace. Our hearts are broken for all the women and mothers living in war-torn countries who are living with the reality that every time they say goodbye to one of their loved ones, it may very well be for the last time.