Geneva: Nearly two-thirds of all maternal deaths worldwide occur in countries marked by conflict or fragility, as revealed in a report released on Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners. The findings highlight a significant disparity in maternal mortality rates between stable and conflict-affected regions, urging immediate action to address this critical issue.According to United Nations, the risk of maternal death for women in conflict-affected countries is approximately five times higher per pregnancy compared to women in more stable regions. In 2023 alone, an estimated 160,000 women succumbed to preventable maternal causes in fragile and conflict-affected settings, accounting for six out of every ten maternal deaths globally, despite these regions representing only about one-tenth of global live births.The report provides a detailed analysis of the factors contributing to higher maternal mortality rates in conflict zones. It confirms that crises severely impair the ability of h ealth systems to provide essential maternal care. The intersectionality of gender, ethnicity, age, and migration status further exacerbates the risks for pregnant women and girls in these fragile contexts, as outlined by WHO and its partner agencies, including UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and the World Bank.The disparity in risk is particularly stark for young women. A 15-year-old girl living in a conflict-afflicted area in 2023 faced a one in 51 lifetime risk of dying from a maternal cause. This compares to a one in 79 risk in regions with social or institutional fragility and a much lower one in 593 risk in relatively stable countries.The report correlates maternal mortality ratios with a country's classification as conflict-affected or fragile. Conflict-affected countries exhibited an estimated maternal mortality ratio of 504 deaths per 100,000 live births. In contrast, countries considered fragile had a ratio of 368, while stable countries showed a significantly lower ratio of 99. These findings underscore th e stalled global progress in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in low-income and crisis-affected areas.Despite these challenges, the report highlights innovative approaches being implemented to maintain maternal health services amid instability. Case studies demonstrate how communities and health workers are adapting to ensure maternal care continues even under extreme pressures.In Colombia, training traditional birth attendants has strengthened local networks, providing timely care despite geographical, security, or trust barriers. Ethiopia focuses on practical measures to restore services post-disruption through mobile teams, renovated facilities, and additional midwives. In Haiti, removing cost and infrastructure barriers, such as providing free or low-cost caesarean sections and reliable electricity, has made lifesaving care accessible to displaced women.Efforts in Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and Ukraine show that even amid complex crises, focusing on essential maternal services can benefit women. These initiatives include planning at subnational levels, improving childbirth practices, and reorganizing patient pathways to safer facilities.The WHO and its partners emphasize the importance of linking maternal mortality data with fragility classifications to pinpoint where health system strengthening is most urgently needed. The brief calls for investing in primary healthcare, enhancing data collection in challenging settings, and designing resilient health systems capable of adapting to shocks. These efforts aim to accelerate progress in reducing preventable maternal deaths even in the world's most challenging environments.
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