1st May , 2025 Deir-Ezzor, Syria

Amid the turmoil and hardship brought by years of conflict in Syria, healthcare workers like Samira Al-Husain have stood as beacons of hope for their communities. A midwife with more than 30 years of experience, Samira now serves with a UNFPA-supported mobile health team in Deir-Ezzor, bringing life-saving care to women in some of the country’s most underserved and hard-to-reach areas.

Recalling one of the many harrowing moments during the crisis, Samira shared:

“One day, my family and I had to flee our home as shells rained down nearby. We sought refuge in a basement close by, where another family—father, mother, and two children—had also taken shelter. The fear in their eyes was unmistakable, especially on the mother’s face, who was heavily pregnant and close to delivery.”

Amid the tension and fear, Samira instinctively stepped into her role.

“I approached her and said, ‘Don’t be afraid. If you go into labor, I’m here to help—I’m a midwife.’ She looked at me with immense relief. In that moment, words were more than comfort—they were reassurance that she would not be alone if the worst were to happen.”

In a moment of uncertainty and fear, it was midwife Samira who stepped in with calm determination. Recognizing the signs of imminent labor and understanding the risks of an unsafe delivery, she quickly arranged for the expectant mother to be referred to the nearest hospital. Thanks to her swift action and care, the woman gave birth in a clean and secure environment—protected from complications that could have put both her life and her baby’s at risk. For Samira, this wasn’t just another task—it was a life she helped bring safely into the world.

Throughout the crisis, Samira and many other midwives across Syria have continued to provide essential reproductive health services, often under extreme conditions. From navigating damaged roads and shortages in supplies to offering care in makeshift shelters, their resilience has remained unshaken.

“The challenges are many during the crisis in Syria, such as : lack of transportation, and limited medical resources—but my drive to help others has always kept me going,” Samira said.

Even during emergencies in Syria, when hospitals are out of reach, the midwives remain on the frontlines, delivering life-saving care and restoring dignity to women and girls across Syria.

Midwives like Samira not only ensure safe births, they offer health and psychological support to mothers, monitor pregnancies, provide postnatal care, and raise awareness on critical issues of maternal and newborn health.