Pregnant women in refugee camps

15 Apr 2015

Syrian Pregnant refugee women living in tent settlements, often can’t afford doctor visits and face potential health hazards because of lack of running water and other challenges. By contrast, pregnant women in Jordan’s three official refugee camps have access to free services, including pre-natal care and delivery, according to the U.N. refugee agency. Last year for example Zaatari, the largest camp in Gordon, saw more than 3,500 births, out of a total more than 18,000 babies born to refugee mothers in 2014, the agency says. Pregnant women, say they are fearful of an uncertain future. The future seems to be bleak for them. A 22-year-old pregnant women: Wadhah Hamada says she doesn’t know how her four-month pregnancy is progressing. She has fled al-Hasaka, Syria, and now lives in one of the camps on the outskirts of Mafraq, Jordan. “I can’t afford to pay 50 Jordanian dinars ($70) for my ultrasound and other medical checks,” she says. “Our future is dark, my life is in a tent and my first child’s life won’t be different.” Another pregnant women,” who fled fighting in Hama three years ago and is five months pregnant. Huda Alsayil said: “A couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t feel my baby moving in my belly so I panicked and didn’t know what to do since I can’t afford heading to a clinic and check.”