Fight For Survival: 37000 Pregnant Women At Risk Amid Israel-Gaza War

The Gaza Strip is currently facing a dire humanitarian crisis, one that threatens the lives of over 37,000 pregnant women, according to UNFPA, who are at risk of life-threatening complications due to a severe lack of essential resources, including electricity and medical supplies. 

A Crisis Unfolding

Ammal Awadallah, the dedicated Executive Director of the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association (PFPPA), describes the desperation of the situation.

"We don't know what's going to happen to these women and their newborn babies," she says. "Our clinic is unusable, and our options to provide referrals to hospitals are decreasing by the hour. I can't stress enough how dire the situation is and how desperately we need humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza."

On the 8th of October, PFPPA's only centre in Gaza was tragically destroyed in an Israeli airstrike on an adjacent building. This devastating incident completely severed their ability to provide healthcare to women who have already been systematically denied sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights by the Israeli occupation.

The Impact of Israel's Blockade

Israel's complete blockade of Gaza, which was announced on the 10th of October, has further exacerbated the crisis. It's preventing crucial supplies like food, water, fuel, and medical necessities from entering Gaza. Currently, the people of Gaza are limited to just two hours of electricity each day, and even this meagre supply is expected to run out in the next few days.

The medical system in Gaza was already severely stretched due to a 16-year illegal blockade. The ongoing bombardment has pushed it to the brink. Emergency services and medical supplies are unable to reach those in need, including pregnant women, women in labour, and newborn babies. Shockingly, it's estimated that 60% of those injured and killed since the 10th of October are women and children.

On the 11th of October, the sole power plant in Gaza ran out of fuel, and three out of five water plants ceased operations due to Israeli bombing and a lack of fuel. Without access to clean water, food, basic medicines, and vaccines, innocent women and newborn babies face the grim prospect of continued suffering and death.

UNFPA's Alarming Report

In addition to the ongoing crisis, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, has sounded the alarm.

They report that a staggering 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza are unable to access essential health services or even clean water. Even more concerning is that 5,500 of these women are due to give birth in the coming month.

The UNFPA is deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of women and girls in Gaza, emphasizing the trauma and psychological distress they are enduring. One UNFPA staff member in Gaza has expressed their heart-wrenching perspective, stating that their only goal now is to breathe, to stay alive.

Mass Displacement and Unimaginable Hardships

The situation in Gaza is dire, with over 220,000 displaced people seeking shelter in UNRWA-run schools. These institutions meant for education, have now become sanctuaries for those who have lost their homes. Mass displacement continues to surge, increasing by 30 percent in just 24 hours, bringing the cumulative figure to over 338,000, with more than two-thirds taking refuge in UNRWA schools. Nearly 218,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) are sheltering in 92 of these schools. The scale of destruction is staggering, with more than 2,500 housing units rendered uninhabitable and thousands more suffering varying degrees of damage. 

To make matters worse, over 88 education facilities, including 18 UNRWA schools, have been struck. This means that for the sixth consecutive day, more than 600,000 children have had no access to education in a safe environment.

The crisis in Gaza is an urgent humanitarian issue that demands immediate attention. It is crucial to address the needs of pregnant women and their newborns, who are at risk due to the severe lack of essential resources. Without humanitarian intervention, the suffering will only intensify, and innocent lives will continue to be lost. 

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