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A health voucher illuminated the path of "Munira" in a time of vulnerability

A health voucher illuminated the path of "Munira" in a time of vulnerability

“I did not expect that this voucher would provide me with all these great services,” said Munira Ahmed, 36, a beneficiary of the health voucher program, which is one of the activities of the reproductive health services support project, implemented by HUMAN ACCESS in Taiz Governorate with funding from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Munira was nine months pregnant and lived in a remote village of Al-Misrakh district.

Her pregnancy has become a nightmare due to the ongoing crisis in Yemen, as she does not have the money to travel for hours to reach a fully functioning health care facility and to deliver safely.

An unexpected piece of good news arrived to Munira in the form of a health voucher given to her by one of the midwives to enlighten her about the path that had been blocked.

Her voucher motivated her to rush to Al-Misrakh hub hospital when labor began, a hospital supported by the reproductive health support project that covers a wide range of health care in a health system on the verge of collapse.

Moments of pride restore the soul

Munira went to the hospital with the voucher as a life-saving companion, easing her labor pains, as it is her true asset in moments of weakness and her only way out of suffering.

As the program representative received her with the team of medical professionals working on the project, a light emitted as all delivery services were provided for free, including transportation and medicines.

 

The moment of radiance while she was embracing her newborn was a distinct moment of pride that repaired the soul.

And because Munira had previous experiences in childbirth, she was fully aware of the high quality of the services she received and said: "Wonderful services and great care that I had not received before. I am unable to thank you all, as you relieved my distress. Thanks to the reproductive health services support project."

 

An example of a successful reproductive health project that was part of HUMAN ACCESS efforts and supported by UNFPA, this story reinforces the important role that this project played in improving reproductive health services.

An overview of the project outlines its main goal, which is promoting health care access in remote areas and alleviating suffering for those severely affected by conflict.

 UNFPA

Ishfaq.. story of a great victory over the triple threat

Ishfaq.. story of a great victory over the triple threat

A three-dimensional crisis experienced by Ishfaq Thabet - 21 years old - has become a source of deep concern for her in particular, and for her husband as well, who struggles daily to survive at a time when the war has expanded poverty and unemployment in Yemen.

Ishfaq is a displaced woman in one of the villages of Al-Madaribah and Ras Al-Arah district in Lahj Governorate. The displaced are in a particularly vulnerable situation, as displaced women and girls are often more vulnerable to shocks due to the loss of livelihoods and depleted savings.

As a first-time mother, Ishfaq suffers from the phobia of childbirth common among women who have never given birth.

In some pregnant women, fear can lead to panic and extreme fear, which can cause health problems for the mother and her unborn baby.

Ishfaq's residence is about 40 miles from the nearest hospital. And according to the United Nations, an estimated 42.4 percent of Yemen's population lives more than one hour away from the nearest fully or partially functioning public hospital. Thus, seeking emergency health care is a perilous journey for people living in remote areas.

Labor had begun and she was lucky

The three-dimensional crisis - displacement, fear of childbirth, and distance from hospital - ignited fear in Ishfaq, and her situation has become a cause for pity in a country suffering from high levels of maternal mortality, as a Yemeni woman dies every two hours during childbirth from preventable causes.

After the labor began at home, her husband accompanied her immediately to the Ras al-Arah rural hospital.

Ishfaq is fortunate that the hospital is covered by the project to support reproductive health services implemented by HUMAN ACCESS with funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Because of this project, the hospital provides reproductive health services, and its experienced medical staff saves vulnerable groups enormous amounts of money that would otherwise have been incurred to obtain high-quality health care in Yemen due to the collapse of the health care system.

The journey of fear crowned with overwhelming happiness

As soon as Ishfaq arrived at the hospital, the medical team rushed to receive her and provided her with the care she needed.

The medical team noticed the state of fear that was controlling her and causing her to deteriorate sharply, so they reassured her and conducted prenatal check-ups and gave her the necessary medications.

 

Two hours after her arrival at the hospital, Ishfaq gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and she was overwhelmed with happiness thanks to the project to support reproductive health services carried out by HUMAN ACCESS in Lahj with the support of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Ishfaq expressed her deep thanks for this project, which spared her complications and provided her with the safe and timely delivery services she desperately needed, as part of continuous efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths in the country.

Thanks to the integrated project... Fears of first pregnancy and childbirth did not steal the joy of "Majani" to receive her baby

Thanks to the integrated project... Fears of first pregnancy and childbirth did not steal the joy of "Majani" to receive her baby

Many women feel afraid of pregnancy or childbirth, especially those who have this first pregnancy.

Health care is increasingly difficult to obtain in countries where traveling to get it is long and expensive, such as Yemen, where a woman dies every two hours during childbirth from preventable causes, according to UN reports.

Mrs. Majani Al-Bahsani, 20, from Hadhramaut Governorate, felt this fear as she went through her new pregnancy experience.

Her fear is justified, since she lives in a remote area of Al Shihr district, lacking health care services and unable to reach health care centers far away.

Timely health care

Majani's fears almost created many complications that would harm her health and her fetus. She was able to overcome these fears thanks to the psychological and awareness support provided to her by the integrated project that provides the most vulnerable IDPs with a minimum package of WASH, health, and protection services, implemented by HUMAN ACCESS with funding from Yemeni Humanitarian Fund (YHF).

Majani was once again filled with fears as she approached childbirth, fearing severe complications or inability to access health care.

With the onset of labor pains, she was fortunate to have the project's medical team, consisting of a female doctor and a midwife, in her Al Madhabi area.

Once the medical team was informed of Majani's condition, they quickly went to her house to provide her with the needed health care in a timely manner.

And it wasn't long before the beautiful event occurred, the birth of a "Majani" healthy baby boy that would enlighten her life.

 healthcare Hadhramaut

Services extended to after safe delivery

The services of the integrated project did not stop at safe delivery, but extended for a month after birth, during which mother and child health services were provided within the services of this project, implemented by HUMAN ACCESS in Hadhramaut during the period from March to October 2022 with the support of (YHF).

We do not know what would happen to Majani and her child if she did not receive these services, but we do know that healthcare services contribute to saving the lives of many people, especially in Yemen. That’s because these services are still depleted throughout the country and completely absent in some areas due to the ongoing war.

HUMAN ACCESS makes a difference in the lives of IDPs in Al-Mudhallal camp

HUMAN ACCESS makes a difference in the lives of IDPs in Al-Mudhallal camp

“We escaped from the war of bullets to the war of lack of services.” This is what the displaced Munir Abdullah - 35 years old - said, describing the situation in which he and a large number of displaced people live in Al-Mudhallal camp in Ataq city, Shabwa Governorate.

Al-Mudhallal camp is one of the oldest camps in Ataq and one of the symbols of the protracted Yemeni IDP crisis. This camp has turned into a temporary shelter for about 221 families who fled the scourge of war, including Munir, who took refuge there with his family consisting of his wife and six children as IDPs from Baihan District in search of safety.

Tragedies and pain

However, this camp, which houses the most vulnerable displaced and marginalized groups, lacks the most basic life-saving services. Toilets are almost non-existent, as men resort to mosque baths or public baths to relieve themselves.

As for the women, they wait for darkness to go out to the open and move away from the camp to relieve themselves safely. Children are forced to urinate and defecate in the open, with devastating consequences for health, the economy and the environment in the poorest and most marginalized communities.

As for water sources, they are almost non-existent in Al Mudhallal camp. Getting water is a daily chore, and often the responsibility for fetching water falls on the shoulders of women and children from far distances.

IDPs Yemen

The integrative provision project contributes to alleviating suffering

In this environment full of challenges from all aspects of life, the displaced people in Al-Mudhallal camp finally saw hope through the project for the integrated provision of a minimum package of water, environmental sanitation, health and protection services for the most vulnerable displaced.

It is a project implemented by HUMAN ACCESS in Shabwa, specifically in February 2022, in partnership with Yemeni Humanitarian Fund (YHF). The project involved constructing 64 toilets, in addition to supplying water.

The project also included the distribution of basic hygiene items, the organization of a community awareness program, and the implementation of permanent and continuous cleaning campaigns. Thus, the project separated two eras for the displaced in Al-Mudhallal camp.

Project Impact

The project brought about a qualitative leap for the displaced, and everyone was overjoyed and grateful for this, including the displaced, Munir, who said: "This is what we have been wishing for for a long time." This humanitarian intervention is essential to protect one of Yemen's most vulnerable groups.

This is how an IDP woman was able to meet her inaccessible need through HUMAN ACCESS and YHF's support

This is how an IDP woman was able to meet her inaccessible need through HUMAN ACCESS and YHF's support

A narration-worthy success story that comes as part of many success stories reflecting the significant and unique efforts exerted by HUMAN ACCESS in several areas with a view to alleviating the suffering of people wherever located.

It is a success story of “A.A.”, 35 IDP woman, who used to live from day to day with her husband and mother in Al Hudaydah Governorate. However, the increasing family problems had troubled her life to a point that divorce had become inevitable.   

It was a cruel shock to her as she found herself without a breadwinner and felt that she is face to face with harsh reality. This feeling was worsened by the difficult economic conditions due to the ongoing conflict in the country. Her suffering deepened by the day and over time she felt post-traumatic depression that was associated with tension and stress, sleep deprivation, negative thinking, and despair.

Seeking to run away from such a painful reality, “A.A.” decided to relocate to a new world in which she could forget her pain and agony. She settled in the city of Al-Shaher in Hadhramaut Governorate, in quest of a glimmer of hope to fix her exhausted soul.

When “A.A” came to this area she had no idea that the support she really needed was there for her. The humanitarian project, implemented by HUMAN ACCESS and funded by Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF) was targeting such conflict-affected people. The project, titled the “Integrated Provision of Minimum WASH, Health and Protection Services Package for the Most Vulnerable IDPs” in Hadramawt and Shabwa Governorates, has extended lifeline support to beneficiaries at such trying times.

The project assessment team paid a field visit to one of the areas of Al-Shahr city to carry out a field survey using a robust form. The team came across "A.A." and identified her need for intensive psychological support.

It was only a few days before the community center in Al-Shahr admitted her and referred her to a psychologist who immediately provided her with the necessary mental support, to get her out of depression and mental suffering.

After some psychosocial support sessions, careful follow-up, and medications offered to her, “A. A.” mental condition improved and progressively restored her mental well-being, enjoying her normal comfortable life. She even started to write poetry again, which was her forgotten hoppy.

At the end of the psychological support sessions, “A.A.” voiced her condition in brief, though implying a lot, saying, "I accessed what I actually need,". She did not forget to express her thanks to HUMAN ACCESS and YHF for their support.

"Jumu'ah”; a success story for a birth delivery following 5 days of medical examination

"Jumu'ah”; a success story for a birth delivery following 5 days of medical examination

Jumu'ah Abdullah, a 33-Yemeni woman, travels fifteen kilometers to check on her fifth pregnancy at the Mayfa’ah Maternity and Childhood Centre, funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

This Center is run under the supervision of HUMAN ACCESS within the “Reproductive Health Support Project”,  in Broom Mayfa’a district, Hadramawt Al-Sahel.

Enhancing health care at the Mayfa’a Maternity and Childhood Center

Mayfa’a Center enjoys a good reputation in the area, which pushed Jumu'ah, and other beneficiaries to visit it frequently to check on pregnancy and delivery and discuss high-end free health services offered in the Center, which spared many women the agony of traveling to the city of Mukalla.

 At one of Juma'ah's visits to the Mayfa’a Maternity and Childhood Center, the test results showed that her estimated due date is approaching, with only 5 days remaining. While the tests showed that Jumu'ah suffers from a disorder in a fluid pocket, which requires medical intervention (labor induction) or to be referred to the city of Mukalla. Jumu'ah accordingly became worried about the labor induction or surgical intervention, which she already experienced in her four previous births.

Rapid response

The medical team at  Mayfa’ah Maternity and Childhood Center had no choice but to make one last attempt which is to improve the amount of fluid and increase contractions. After three consecutive days of follow-up by the medical team and providing her with injections and fluids, Jumaah's condition improved.

She was able to give birth at the Center following her enhanced fluid condition and increased contractions. On the fifth day, she delivered her fifth child as predicted by the medical examinations, under the supervision of the medical staff of Mayfa’a Center for Motherhood and Childhood.

Thanks to HUMAN ACCESS and UNFPA, the donor and the implementing partner of the Reproductive Health Services Support Project. Thanks also to all the medical team at the Mayfa’a Maternity and Childhood Center,  which has become a unique health facility in terms of provision of excellent reproductive health services, as well as primary health care to IDPs and residents of the area.

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