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As Humanitarian Crises Grow, So Do Risks for Women and Newborns
›Dot-Mom // November 13, 2024 // By Sarah B. Barnes, Dr. Claudia Donkor, Deborah Denis, Mushtaq Khan, Jihan Salad, Harriet Ruysen, Rondi Anderson & Hani Rukh-E-QamarDuring humanitarian emergencies, women and newborns face severe disparities and heightened vulnerabilities, increasing their risk of illness and death. Humanitarian crises—caused by conflict, climate-related disasters, or forced displacement—disrupt health systems, limit access to essential services, and increase the likelihood of preventable deaths. In 2023, 58% of global maternal deaths, 50% of newborn deaths, and 51% of stillbirths worldwide occurred in the 29 countries with a UN humanitarian response plan or regional response plan. In humanitarian emergencies, a lack of skilled health personnel, inadequate infrastructure, and shortages of essential medicines are common—resulting in limited access to both basic and emergency maternal and newborn care. A fight for humanitarian aid is also a challenge, as maternal and newborn health are often under-prioritized or neglected in humanitarian response.
Showing posts by Dr. Claudia Donkor.