In Yemen, giving birth can be a matter of life and death, especially for displaced mothers. Amal’s* story reflects not only the harsh daily realities faced by thousands of women but also the transformative power of safe, accessible health services. Her experience marks a milestone: hers was the first delivery to take place at Albaytra Health Facility in over three years.
For many displaced women, motherhood is not just a blessing, it’s a daily struggle for survival. Amal, now a 30-year-old mother of four, once lived a stable life in Taiz, filled with hope. Before the conflict, her husband used to have a source of income, and she devoted herself to caring for their young children. But four years ago, war forced them to flee. They resettled in Albaytra village, Tuban District, Lahj Governorate, where life quickly became more difficult. Like many displaced families, Amal was left without support after her husband had to shift to another governorate in search of work, only being able to visit them once in a while, leaving her alone to care for the children with no steady source of support or protection.
In the harsh reality of displacement, even the most basic health services become a luxury. Amal had no access to reproductive health care or family planning counseling. Over the next four years, she found herself pregnant three times, not by choice, but because she lacked the information and means to prevent it.
