Midwives working for Project HOPE report a concerning influx of women experiencing postpartum hemorrhage, neonatal death, and other life-threatening emergencies after giving birth at home in northern Gaza, where there is limited access to health care. There are over 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza and every day, an estimated 180 women give birth. For over a year, pregnant women across Gaza have lacked access to proper antenatal and postnatal care. In the north, conditions are dire. Aside from limited access to clean water, food, and adequate shelter, there is a severe shortage of health workers, medicine, and medical supplies. When hospitals can operate, transportation is expensive and there are security risks to traveling leading more women to give birth at home. 
 
Project HOPE has increased its midwife presence at the maternity ward at Al Sahaba Hospital, one of the last remaining maternity care centers and few within a “red zone” – an area that is being targeted. A group of four midwives cover nightshifts, provide antenatal care, and handle emergency deliveries along with many obstetrical complications. Over the last month, midwives supported over 200 deliveries and provided care to women who experienced postpartum hemorrhage after delivering at home. For our team to continue operating, Project HOPE calls for robust increase in aid shipments, safe travel for staff between north and south Gaza, and an immediate ceasefire.  
 
Shaimaa, a Midwife for Project HOPE at Al-Sahaba Hospital in northern Gaza, said: 

“The reality for pregnant women in northern Gaza is grim. We are seeing both women and newborn babies die from preventable causes. Almost every day I treat a woman for postpartum hemorrhage, the leading cause of death for pregnant women. Most of these women gave birth in makeshift shelters and then were rushed to the hospital after excessive bleeding. This week, a woman came into the hospital with a baby stuck in her birth canal. The baby’s head was stuck for half an hour. The baby later died.  

Most people in the north live in tents. As the weather gets colder, people are suffering more and more. There is nowhere to go to get warm. We don’t have clean water and finding food is nearly impossible.  When we find food, we don’t have gas to cook and must resort to using open fires. I frequently treat pregnant patients who are malnourished, and we don’t have access to prenatal vitamins or nutritional assistance to give them. It feels like the world has forgotten about us.”  
 

Dr. Mithqal Abutaha, Project Manager for Project HOPE in Deir al Balah, Gaza, said: 

“North Gaza is in complete isolation. Our team in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis are prevented from traveling to northern Gaza, while our colleagues there remain cut off. Currently, there is no aid flowing to northern areas. The lack of shipments has created severe shortages, leaving health workers to cope with dwindling resources in increasingly desperate conditions. Despite these overwhelming challenges, our medical team continues working around the clock, providing whatever care they can manage with what they have. We urgently call for immediate action to allow safe passage for aid shipments, restore medical supply chains, and facilitate the movement of health care teams to ensure lifesaving services reach those in desperate need.” 

Project HOPE has provided essential health care services in Gaza throughout the conflict. In addition to providing care through our health clinics, our teams currently deploy midwives across northern and southern Gaza to support local health facilities, offering free comprehensive maternal care including delivery assistance, antenatal and postnatal services, family planning, and nutritional support. They also provide support for pregnant women living in isolated communities. This initiative is made possible through funding from the Minderoo Foundation. 

Project HOPE has team members in Gaza available for interviews. For media inquiries, contact Bria Justus (WhatsApp: +1 503-764-7864) or email media@projecthope.org.