An estimated 2.7 million women of reproductive age displaced in Sudan
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According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), an estimated 2.7 million women of reproductive age are displaced in Sudan due to the ongoing conflict. Among them are more than 272,000 pregnant women, with around 91,000 expected to give birth within the next three months. The prolonged crisis in Sudan has created a humanitarian disaster of staggering proportions, with dire consequences for the country’s women and children.
Sudan has been embroiled in nearly 20 months of brutal conflict, which has pushed the country to the brink of collapse. As the fighting continues, entire regions remain isolated, cut off from vital humanitarian assistance. Over 12 million people have been displaced, with more than 8 million within Sudan’s borders and over 3 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
While Sudan had already been grappling with years of humanitarian challenges, the war has exacerbated these problems, plunging the nation into a deepening crisis. The UNFPA reports that millions of people are facing severe hunger, disease, and violence. Among the most vulnerable are women, who bear the brunt of the crisis, especially pregnant women who struggle to access vital healthcare services.
The situation for displaced women is dire, with many unable to receive the necessary antenatal care, safe delivery services, or postnatal support. This is largely due to the fact that up to 80% of health facilities in conflict-affected areas have either been closed or are barely functioning. This leaves women at heightened risk of pregnancy and childbirth-related complications, which are increasingly leading to maternal deaths.
One displaced mother, Sabreen Abdulrahman, shared her fear and hardship. She is nine months pregnant with her fourth child and already a mother of three. “After I give birth, I worry about the cold weather and not having a proper place to put my baby. We don’t have a home, we sleep outside, on the floor,” she says. Her words highlight the immense challenges faced by displaced women who, on top of the dangers of childbirth, are forced to live in harsh conditions without basic shelter.
The impact of the crisis extends beyond the immediate needs of pregnant women. The UN reports that nearly 1.5 million people across Sudan face the threat of famine, with approximately 35,800 of them being pregnant women. This dire situation is compounded by the lack of access to food, clean water, and essential health services. Many displaced families, particularly those in rural areas, are struggling to survive and are often unable to access even the most basic necessities.
The ongoing conflict and its devastating consequences have placed immense pressure on Sudan’s already fragile health system. International aid organizations, including the UN, have been working tirelessly to provide assistance, but access to affected areas is often hindered by the fighting. Even when aid reaches these areas, it is often insufficient to meet the overwhelming needs of the population.
The situation is further exacerbated by the scarcity of trained healthcare personnel and medical supplies. Many doctors and nurses have fled the conflict, leaving behind a gaping hole in the medical response. Hospitals and clinics that are still functioning are overwhelmed, unable to cope with the surge in medical needs, especially for pregnant women and newborns.
The plight of pregnant women in Sudan is a tragic consequence of the ongoing war, and it highlights the broader humanitarian crisis facing the country. The conflict has not only displaced millions of people but has also created a generation of women and children living in desperate conditions. As the war continues, the international community must do more to provide assistance and ensure that the most vulnerable, particularly women and children, receive the support they desperately need. Without immediate action, the situation is only likely to worsen, with more lives lost and more families torn apart.
In summary, the ongoing conflict in Sudan has displaced millions, leaving pregnant women particularly vulnerable to a lack of healthcare and basic needs. With a lack of access to hospitals and medical facilities, many are facing the risk of maternal deaths, while others, like Sabreen Abdulrahman, endure harsh living conditions and uncertainty. The international community’s response to this crisis is more urgent than ever, as the war continues to exacerbate an already devastating humanitarian disaster.
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