The Plight of Pregnant Women Amid Sudan's Ongoing Conflict

Sudan's ongoing conflict, primarily between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the national army, has created dire conditions for civilians, particularly pregnant women. Nadra Mohamed Ahmed, who was seven months pregnant, undertook a perilous 40-kilometer (25 miles) journey with her two children to escape the violence in her hometown of el-Fasher. After losing significant blood during her escape, she arrived at a displacement camp in al-Dabbah, where she received medical attention. The U.N. population agency estimates that over 2,000 women have fled el-Fasher due to the fighting, with more than 140 pregnant women arriving at al-Dabbah since the city fell to the RSF last month.

Associated Press

The situation for pregnant women in Sudan is increasingly precarious. The RSF's recent assault on el-Fasher included an attack on the Saudi Maternity Hospital, the last operational health facility in the area, resulting in the deaths of 460 patients and their companions. This assault has left over 6,000 pregnant women without access to essential maternal care. Many women, like Rasha Ahmed, who recently arrived in Tawila, report being forced to flee with nothing after their homes were destroyed. Rasha, who is eight months pregnant, expressed her desperation, stating, “I arrived heavily pregnant, and I don’t have anything to help me after giving birth.”

Associated Press

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has reported that it facilitated 102 deliveries in Tawila and al-Dabbah in recent weeks. However, conditions in the overcrowded camps are challenging, with newborns facing inadequate shelter and malnutrition. The rate of global acute malnutrition among pregnant or lactating women examined by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) was found to be 60%. The ongoing conflict has exacerbated food insecurity, with nearly 74% of women lacking minimum dietary diversity, which is crucial for maternal and child health.

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Critics highlight the urgent need for humanitarian aid and protection for vulnerable populations. The U.N. and various aid organizations have called for increased support to address the escalating crisis. The U.K. government has indicated plans to work with allies to push for a truce to facilitate the delivery of life-saving supplies and is considering sanctions against those responsible for human rights abuses in Sudan.

Associated Press

While the UNFPA estimates that more than 2,300 pregnant women have fled el-Fasher since late October, the fluidity of the situation makes it difficult to ascertain exact numbers. Aid groups warn that the true death toll from the conflict could be significantly higher than the reported figures, which include at least 40,000 fatalities since the fighting began in 2023.

Associated Press

• “I was very exhausted on the journey. I was carrying a child on my back and another in my womb. We had nothing to eat or drink,” — Nadra Mohamed Ahmed, Displaced Pregnant Woman

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• “When in el-Fasher, I could not have access to any medical facilities. Not until I came here to al-Dabbah did I meet doctors,” — Nadra Mohamed Ahmed

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• “They didn’t allow us to take anything — not even bed sheets or covers,” — Rasha Ahmed, Displaced Pregnant Woman

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• “It is hard to provide newborns with adequate shelter conditions, adequate clothing, good heating and baby formula, knowing that those babies are already born malnourished,” — Sami Aswad, UNFPA Humanitarian Coordinator

Associated Press

The plight of pregnant women in Sudan underscores the broader humanitarian crisis resulting from ongoing conflict, highlighting the urgent need for international attention and assistance.

Associated Press