Greece has contributed a total of €250,000 to support the humanitarian initiatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) aimed at maternal and newborn health in areas facing acute humanitarian needs.
Specifically, €100,000 were allocated to improve maternal and newborn care in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where by early 2025 approximately 7.3 million people were internally displaced. In Goma alone, more than 700,000 people were living in makeshift camps without adequate access to food, water, or medical care. Ongoing conflicts had further increased incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly affecting pregnant women and newborns. The WHO program focused on surgical and post-operative care, training of healthcare personnel, and community awareness on maternal and reproductive health rights.
Additionally, Greece contributed €150,000 to the prevention and treatment of obstetric fistula in the Sahel and Horn of Africa regions. Obstetric fistula is a serious childbirth complication affecting over 2 million women in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, associated with limited access to safe delivery services and high maternal mortality. Conflicts and extreme climate events in these regions further restrict access to essential maternal healthcare. The WHO program targeted surgical repair, health system strengthening, healthcare workforce training, and community empowerment, with a strong emphasis on gender equality.
Through these contributions, Greece has supported critical WHO interventions aimed at reducing maternal morbidity and mortality and improving health conditions for women and newborns in highly vulnerable regions.