ZAATARI, Jordan – When little Obada was welcomed into the world on 6 March, he became the 3,000th baby born at a UNFPA-supported clinic in the Zaatari camp in Jordan. Some 83,500 Syrian refugees are living in the sprawling camp, having fled the chaos back home. Despite the chronic stress of displacement, none of the 3,000 births has ended in a maternal or infant death.
“I had a smooth delivery, no complications,” Obada’s mother, 18-year-old Nour, told UNFPA as she slowly rocked the baby to sleep. He was born a healthy 3.8 kg.
Quality care
Like many Syrians living in Zaatari, Nour came from the city of Daraa, near the Syrian-Jordanian border. She has been in Zaatari since fleeing her home January 2013.
The clinic is operated by the Jordan Health Aid Society (JHAS), with support from UNFPA. Obstetricians, gynaecologists, paediatricians, nurses and midwives perform routine deliveries around the clock, and also provide a full suite of prenatal and post-natal care.
“They even taught me at the clinic how to breastfeed, and told me how important it is for the baby,” Nour said.
Thousands of women pregnant
The reproductive health needs among Syrian refugee women and girls remain enormous. In March, UNFPA estimated some 152,700 Syrian refugee women and girls in Jordan were of reproductive age, and more than 11,000 refugee women in the country were estimated to be pregnant.
In addition to the clinic where Nour gave birth, three other JHAS/UNFPA-operated centres in the Zaatari are also providing prenatal and post-natal care. The clinics are supported with funding from the Government of Kuwait, the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department, and the US State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees Migration.
When the health centres opened in 2012, they provided a range of reproductive health services, including prenatal care, health awareness and family planning care. Safe delivery services have been available since June 2013. The clinics also offer referrals to nearby hospitals for pregnancy or labour complications.
Dreams for her son
Nour has taken Obada back to her shelter in the camp. Her in-laws, parents and relatives live nearby in a cluster of caravans, and Obada’s young cousins visit often.
Still, Nour says she looks forward to the day she can take him home – to Syria.
“I dream of taking Obada back to my hometown,” she said. “I would love to see him run around my parents’ house in Daraa. But until then, I will raise him here, hoping I can give him the love and care I have always dreamed of giving my children.”
