Fatema, a mother of seven in Afghanistan, faced difficulties and tragedies in giving birth to her babies at home. She found a safe haven in one of the INTERSOS health centres, where she could give birth to her twins and receive the medical care she needed.
At 33 years old, Fatema, a mother of seven, lived in Zherai District, Kandahar. For years, she had been giving birth at home, worrying for her safety and her children’s. When she decided to go to INTERSOS for the birth of her twins, it was a brave choice filled with hope.
Afghanistan, home to approximately 38 million people, has a significant portion of its population living in remote, culturally diverse areas that are difficult to access. This has made the country increasingly vulnerable and in need of humanitarian aid, particularly in the health and nutrition sectors. Currently, over 18 million individuals require assistance to survive, while conflict and insecurity have displaced more than 3.5 million people.
Fatema, a 33-year-old mother of seven, lives in a traditional home with her in-laws, making her family even larger—nine people all trying to survive together. Her husband works as a daily wage labourer, often leaving at dawn and returning late at night, most days empty-handed because he couldn’t find any work. “He is out all day, and often comes home with nothing,” Fatema said, her voice tinged with worry.
In the past, Fatema delivered her children at home, where comfort was scarce and danger lurked around every corner.
“I lost one of my babies during childbirth because we didn’t have what we needed at home. He needed oxygen right after he was born, but there was no way for us to help him,” she explained, her eyes filling with tears as memories flooded back.
She faces grim economic conditions, and as she shared her story, her voice trembled with a mix of sadness and sorrow. Despite the hardships, Fatema was filled with a small spark of hope as she described her journey to the INTERSOS health facility, travelling 50 minutes by car. “This place is a safe haven for our people. It is a blessing, ” she said, a faint smile breaking through her sorrow.
A neighbour had told her about INTERSOS, and she made the brave decision to give birth to her twins there, seeking the care she knew would protect them. With anticipation and nervousness, she clutched her belly, feeling the movement of her unborn children. Fatema knows that, at INTERSOS centre, she and her babies will finally receive the care and support they desperately need. In a world full of uncertainty, she holds onto hope—a hope for her children, for their health, and a better future.
The dedicated INTERSOS medical team visits families, offers consultations, and prescribes medication when needed. The delivery services at these health facilities operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This round-the-clock care provides peace of mind for families who know help is available whenever they need it.
Additionally, the health facilities offer post-delivery services, where families learn essential skills like breastfeeding and receive a schedule for their children’s vaccinations. After leaving the facility, mothers are given delivery and childcare kits to support them as they care for their newborns.
In many of the remote areas of Afghanistan, a lack of access to health facilities, combined with cultural sensitivities and a lack of knowledge, has led to heart-wrenching tragedies for families during pregnancy, childbirth, and in the early days of a child’s life. However, these health facilities not only deliver essential medical services but also help change attitudes, build trust, and empower vulnerable families. They teach communities about the importance of caring for their health and the well-being of their loved ones.
With the support and funding from the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA) / Stichting Vluchteling (SV), INTERSOS has equipped many health facilities in remote and hard-to-reach areas of Afghanistan. These facilities have become a safe haven for many Afghans, especially for women like Fatema, who seek reassurance and care during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. The impact of the collaboration between INTERSOS and the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA) / Stichting Vluchteling (SV) is now visible in many districts across southern Afghanistan with more and more people lining up for services.