Recent cuts in international aid could drastically worsen maternal mortality rates, reaching alarming levels similar to those seen during the worst stages of a pandemic, warned the World Health Organization (WHO). The situation is particularly concerning for pregnant women in conflict areas, where the risk of dying during pregnancy and childbirth is five times higher compared to other regions.
Although pregnancy and childbirth-related deaths have decreased by 40% globally between 2000 and 2023, experts warn that this positive trend is vulnerable; progress has stalled since 2016. For the current year, it is estimated that 260,000 women have lost their lives due to complications related to pregnancy. Bruce Aylward, WHO Assistant Director-General, emphasized that cuts in funding could not only undermine achievements, but also risk reversing decades of improvement in maternal care.
The situation in Gaza is especially critical. With a total of approximately 55,000 pregnant women in the region, a third of them are facing high-risk pregnancies. Furthermore, many newborns have health complications. The deteriorating conditions of the health system in Gaza have been exacerbated by the Israeli blockade, which has resulted in a alarming shortage of essential medical supplies.
On another front, Haiti is trapped in a severe humanitarian crisis, with gang violence claiming the lives of at least 262 people in just two months. Criminal groups have deployed brutal tactics to expand their territorial control, leading to an increase in the number of displaced people and intensifying instability in the country.
Finally, a recent report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime has highlighted a worrying connection between deforestation and organized crime. Illicit activities such as mining and drug trafficking are linked to indiscriminate deforestation, putting not only the environment at risk, but also fueling criminal networks in various regions. This reality demands urgent actions to mitigate maternal mortality and effectively address the violence and organized crime affecting the lives of thousands of people in different parts of the world.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
