Pregnant women in Yemen are facing increasing risks as ongoing fighting between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and government forces backed by Saudi Arabia disrupts reproductive healthcare, with some facilities redirecting emergency obstetric services to treat people wounded in the conflict, the United Nations has warned.
Francesco Galtieri, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative in Yemen, told The Associated Press on Friday that about three women were dying daily from pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes as recently as eight weeks ago.
He said sudden displacement and growing uncertainty had further worsened the situation, restricting access to essential services for pregnant women and women of reproductive age.
According to UNFPA, more than 3,100 pregnant women have been displaced since early September.
The agency also reported that nine health facilities it supports had either been destroyed or rendered non-functional, while eight others had suspended services.
“The situation is extremely alarming, and we have no data to size how alarming the situation is in the rest of Yemen, in the areas where we have no access,” Galtieri warned.
He said further displacement was expected as fighting continued, placing additional pressure on an already overstretched healthcare system.
Many pregnant women no longer knew where they would deliver their babies, while some had been forced to give birth by the roadside, he added.
The worsening humanitarian situation comes amid renewed violence in the country.
On Thursday, at least five people were killed and 16 others injured in an attack in Aden, witnesses said.
At least six explosions were reported near the palace used by Yemen’s internationally recognised government in the southern port city. Houthi rebels based in northern Yemen quickly claimed responsibility for the attack.
The United Nations has said that more than 200,000 people have been displaced amid escalating tensions between the Houthis and government forces.
The disruption of maternal healthcare has heightened concerns over the safety of pregnant women and newborns, particularly in areas where insecurity and limited humanitarian access prevent people from obtaining essential medical assistance.
