In humanitarian crisis, women and young girls are much vulnerable to the crisis. Whether women live or die in crisis often depends on if they get the basic sexual and reproductive health services, which often take a back seat to other urgent needs of food and shelter. About 3 out of 5 of al maternal deaths globally occur in emergency and fragile situations. Without access to reproductive health services, these women face an increased risk of life-threatening complications.
“Sexual and reproductive health is critical to be integrated into humanitarian response to save the lives of women and adolescent girls. This additional equipment and supplies will support continuity to provide access sexual and reproductive health as a critical lifesaving intervention,” says Mr. Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Representative to Rwanda.
The movement of Burundian refugees started in April 2015 and since then, there been an increase in numbers flocking in Rwanda and neighboring countries. As of today the number of Burundian refugees in the country has reached around 57,062 registered refugees hosted in Mahama camp.
Handover to Save the Children in Mahama.
A refugee new mother receives a dignity kit after a few hours of birth from Mr. Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Rep.
“We are grateful for this support. The equipment is critical in saving lives on mothers for safe delivery of their babies and our staff are well equipped to support as much as needed” Country Director, ARC
UNFPA in collaboration with others partners such as American Refugee Committee (ARC) and Save the Children International Rwanda with the funds have contributed the safe delivery of thousands of babies by Burundian Refugees and contributed to reducing of the incidence of maternal mortality though capacity building and availability of SRH services in Mahama camp and to Kirehe District Hospital that handles complicated cases from Mahama refugee camp while serving the host community.
Some of the equipment handed to American Refugee Committee in Mahama Camp
