Amongst the many victims of the devastating floods that have submerged one third of Pakistan under water, nearly half a million are pregnant women. According to an estimate by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), at least 73,000 pregnant flood victims are expected to deliver next month.
“Up to 73,000 women expected to deliver next month will need skilled birth attendants, newborn care, and support,” said UNFPA, adding that both the mother and child are most vulnerable during childbirth and will need urgent care, as childbirth is something that cannot wait for natural disasters and calamities to pass.
In such a circumstance, and in a country where even the provision of sanitary napkins and menstrual pads becomes a contentious topic, the need to provide help and provide it fast is ever urgent. Thankfully, there are organisations and individuals working to provide urgent maternal care through maternity kits that contain everything a new mother would need on an instant basis. While these kits are obviously not a replacement for thorough medical care, it is a much needed initiative in a time and space where everything has been washed away.
One of these organizations is the Mama Baby Fund, which is an emergency fund based in Karachi, providing mothers and their babies with essential medical care and supplies.
The organisation said on Instagram, "In times of natural disasters and crises, there are much higher chances of pregnant women suffering from sepsis and newborns not surviving. There are no clean surfaces to give birth on and the umbilical cord is cut with whatever rusty scissors or knives can be found."
Their kits cost Rs1,800, and contain essentials such as vitamins, painkillers, blades, diapers and clean plastic sheets for a safe dry birthing space.
Another such organisation is Safe Delivery Safe Mother, which works to improve maternal and reproductive health in Pakistan by training community health workers and strengthening public health & data management systems.
They also make similarly priced kits (Rs1,600) with similar maternity essentials, including items like sanitary pads, energy supplements, underwear and cord clamps.
Now more than ever is when our collective efforts are needed. Consider donating or volunteering with these organisations, as they are really doing great work.
“Up to 73,000 women expected to deliver next month will need skilled birth attendants, newborn care, and support,” said UNFPA, adding that both the mother and child are most vulnerable during childbirth and will need urgent care, as childbirth is something that cannot wait for natural disasters and calamities to pass.
In such a circumstance, and in a country where even the provision of sanitary napkins and menstrual pads becomes a contentious topic, the need to provide help and provide it fast is ever urgent. Thankfully, there are organisations and individuals working to provide urgent maternal care through maternity kits that contain everything a new mother would need on an instant basis. While these kits are obviously not a replacement for thorough medical care, it is a much needed initiative in a time and space where everything has been washed away.
One of these organizations is the Mama Baby Fund, which is an emergency fund based in Karachi, providing mothers and their babies with essential medical care and supplies.
View this post on Instagram
The organisation said on Instagram, "In times of natural disasters and crises, there are much higher chances of pregnant women suffering from sepsis and newborns not surviving. There are no clean surfaces to give birth on and the umbilical cord is cut with whatever rusty scissors or knives can be found."
Their kits cost Rs1,800, and contain essentials such as vitamins, painkillers, blades, diapers and clean plastic sheets for a safe dry birthing space.
View this post on Instagram
Another such organisation is Safe Delivery Safe Mother, which works to improve maternal and reproductive health in Pakistan by training community health workers and strengthening public health & data management systems.
View this post on Instagram
They also make similarly priced kits (Rs1,600) with similar maternity essentials, including items like sanitary pads, energy supplements, underwear and cord clamps.
View this post on Instagram
Now more than ever is when our collective efforts are needed. Consider donating or volunteering with these organisations, as they are really doing great work.