A hidden tragedy: worldwide childbirth deaths are concentrated in war zones

Geneva (Agenzia Fides) – In war zones, neglected maternal protection has become an emergency. There, everyone's life is threatened, and attention regarding the risks and hardships faced by pregnant women and unborn children is fading. This is yet another side effect of the dehumanizing process triggered by armed conflict. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently pointed out that up to 60% of pregnancy-related deaths globally occur in countries at war or in countries characterized by strong political and social instability.

The "Maternal Mortality Ratio" (MMA or MMR) Report shows that maternal mortality rates are extremely high in war zones, with 504 women dying per 100,000 pregnancies.

WHO also released other data, providing a more complete picture of the situation. In politically unstable countries, the maternal mortality rate is 368 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies. In countries that do not fall into either of these categories, the maternal mortality rate is 99 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies.

Countries at war face another, even more severe reality and situation: approximately 10% of the world's women of childbearing age live in these countries. They may become victims of sexual violence used as weapons of war or face pregnancies resulting from rape. The lack of adequate medical services further exacerbates the risks faced by women in these countries.
The problem is most prevalent in Africa. According to the World Health Organization's classification, based on data from the World Bank as of 2023, the regions with the highest number of conflicts are concentrated here. The Sahel region and sub-Saharan Africa are the most severely affected, with countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique being among the worst hit.
In sub-Saharan Africa, maternal mortality rates have soared in both war-torn and socially unstable countries, with more than 500 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies. Other regions with high maternal mortality rates include the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
In the Middle East, deaths are concentrated in unstable countries; in South Asia, they are concentrated in conflict-ridden countries such as Afghanistan. Some countries long affected by conflict and ongoing violence have taken steps to address this problem. The World Health Organization views these measures as a positive attempt to contain the emergency in an extremely tragic context.
Colombia has taken similar steps, strengthening its local healthcare network aimed at promoting the possibility of giving birth in safe conditions. Ethiopia has established mobile medical teams and trained midwives to address this issue—a significant contribution to maternal and child care is also carried out by Doctors for Africa-CUAMM." They have done extensive work in maternal and child care while improving healthcare services for pregnant women. Haiti, a country long plagued by terrible social unrest and ongoing violence, has also followed Ethiopia's lead in striving to ensure basic healthcare services for pregnant women. (CG) (Agenzia Fides, 25/2/2026)

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maternity

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