Safe Birth In Palestine Project

Below is a statement from pregnancy and childbirth professionals and organizations working in the field of prenatal, perinatal and postnatal health, please email us to add your organization’s support to this call or to join our volunteer network: “Women and newborns are disproportionately bearing the burden of hostilities in Gaza” as the World Health Organization states. Hundreds of thousands of pregnant women and children are adversely affected by the atrocities of war.  Approximately 50,000 pregnant women reside in Gaza, with over 180 deliveries occurring daily. Around 15% of these women are at risk of encountering complications during pregnancy or childbirth, necessitating extra medical attention. Due to the blockage of medical supplies and power, emergency cesarean sections are now performed without anesthesia and the basic sanitary needs, medically unnecessary hysterectomies are performed to stop bleeding.  As pregnancy and childbirth professionals who dedicate their lives to protecting civilians under all circumstances, we are aware that creating safe spaces for childbirth also means creating safe spaces for all people. For this reason, we must seek ways of influencing the international community to help achieve the following immediately:

• Immediate ceasefire and adherence to international humanitarian law
• Opening safe corridors for evacuation of pregnant women and children
• Meeting the need for emergency medical care before and during evacuation
• Establishing safe zones for hospitals and care homes under the auspices of international organizations and taking other measures to protect medical personnel and installations
• Building infrastructure and providing resources for safe childbirth and medical care in safe zones
• Building field hospitals and temporary installations in safe zones
• Increasing the efficiency of medical aid by ensuring collaboration between the aid agencies and the local health professionals
• Providing psychosocial support as an integral part of the emergency response

These are only the initial steps to alleviate the pain and reduce the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip, a population displaced from their homes. As we continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, the above-mentioned steps are of critical importance, as civilians and medical staff are protected by international law. We ask all childbirth-related organizations to join our mission. Our solidarity is essential both in times of conflict and throughout the rebuilding phase.  Let us come together, work together and take urgent action! safebirthpalestine@gmail.com

**Individual names will not be disclosed due to their protection. Organizations supporting this call:

•  Anatolia Midwives Association
• Inherent Birth Association
• Integrative Women’s Health Association
• Hand to Hand for Births Association