Atija Bacar is 66 years old and lives in Eduardo Mondlane camp for internally displaced people in Mueda, in Cabo Delgado. She now works with MSF as a traditional birth attendant and assists more than 100 women in the camp
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The challenge of a safe pregnancy and childbirth in Cabo Delgado

On Wednesday, May 25, 2022

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Like many of them, she lived through traumatic experiences, witnessing her husband’s and son’s murders. Now, she says she loves doing her job since she can help women in their time of need –

When I arrived here, this place was a forest. Some good people helped me to get settled. Now I can also help pregnant women. I know they need my support.”

Atija with her mother and grandchild near the tent where she lives in Eduardo Mondlane camp for people who are internally displaced in Mueda.
Atija counsels Amina, 17 years old and nine months pregnant, and the women in her family.

In Cabo Delgado, hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes in search for safety due to an ongoing conflict. Eduardo Mondlane camp is home to more than 2,000 displaced families.

Women and children are amongst the most vulnerable and face multiple challenges.

Many of them have walked long distances and left their families behind and many were separated from their loved ones or witnessed their death due to murder or poor living conditions and lack of medical care.

As well, a lot of pregnant women are still very young and have little to no information on how to lead a healthy pregnancy and the needs and dangers of childbirth.

Muanajuma is from Mocímboa da Praia and has been in Mueda for 2 years. She had her first son in Palma, while on the run from attacks. Now she is pregnant again while residing in Eduardo Mondlane camp for internally displaced people. Carla is from Muidumbe and has been in Eduardo Mondlane camp for people who are internally displaced for a year. She is 15 years old and is expecting her first child.
Amina is 17 years old and from Mocímboa da Praia. She has been living in Eduardo Mondlane internally displaced people camp for a year. She is nine months pregnant and feels scared of going into labour because this is her first child.

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