Maternal health remains one of the most critically affected sectors in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, largely due to persistent insecurity, population displacement, and the progressive collapse of health infrastructure. Armed conflict has led to the destruction, looting, or closure of numerous health facilities, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas. In this context, fewer than 35% of pregnant women in conflict-affected zones can access skilled assistance during childbirth, compared to significantly higher coverage in more stable regions. Thus, thousands of women are forced to deliver at home or in informal settings, often without trained personnel, sterile equipment, or access to emergency obstetric care—dramatically increasing the risk of hemorrhage, infection, obstructed labor, and preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.
The situation has been further aggravated by the interruption or suspension of free maternal healthcare programs, which previously served as a critical safety net for vulnerable women. Recent field assessments indicate that a significant proportion of health centers—up to 40% in some conflict-affected territories—have partially or fully suspended free services due to insecurity, lack of funding, or shortages of medicines and qualified staff. Thus, thousands of pregnant women now must cover the costs of antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal services themselves, which can be financially burdensome for families already struggling with extreme poverty and displacement. Many women delay or completely forgo care, leading to an increase in unassisted deliveries and late referrals for obstetric emergencies.
These combined factors have a direct and measurable impact on maternal and neonatal mortality. In eastern DRC, maternal mortality ratios remain among the highest in the region, with conflict-affected areas recording mortality levels significantly above the national average. Neonatal outcomes are equally concerning, with new-born deaths accounting for an estimated 40–45% of all under-five mortality in these settings, often linked to complications during pregnancy and delivery that could be prevented with timely and adequate care. Without urgent investment to restore health services, re-establish free maternal care, and strengthen community-based referral systems, the lives of mothers and newborns will continue to be lost to entirely preventable causes, undermining broader humanitarian and development gains.
Operational Objective - To finance mobile clinics, cover delivery-related costs, provide maternity kits, and subsidize transportation for patients to reach health facilities.
