Takhar, Afghanistan - Nineteen-year-old Bibi Nooria from Eshkamish district lives a life familiar to many young Afghan women — one shaped by early marriage and limited resources. Married with three young children, she and her husband, a farmer, struggle daily to make ends meet.Their struggles are compounded by the looming threat of drought, a recurring crisis in Afghanistan that disproportionately affects vulnerable families.
When Bibi Nooria became pregnant for the third time, she feared the hardship that lay ahead. Her previous two births had been painful and risky, carried out at home without medical support. This time, as her due date approached, she began experiencing complications.
Drought conditions exacerbate existing challenges, making access to clean water and nutritious food more difficult, which can negatively impact maternal health and increase the risk of complications in pregnancy and childbirth. During a visit by a Mobile Health Team (MHT) to her village, Bibi Nooria gathered her courage and came forward for a check-up.
After a careful examination, the MHT midwife determined that Bibi Nooria should deliver with the support of a skilled midwife to avoid life-threatening complications. Lacking funds for transport to the nearest health facility, the MHT’s presence, supported by UNFPA and the UN Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) and the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), proved critical in alleviating her fear and uncertainty.
The mobile team transported Bibi Nooria to the closest health clinic, where the midwife provided the care she needed. Her delivery was safe, and her baby was born healthy. Bibi Nooria’s vital signs were monitored closely, and the midwife’s timely interventions prevented postpartum haemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal deaths.
After birth, Bibi Nooria was counselled on breastfeeding and began nursing her baby immediately. She received vital zero-dose vaccines for her newborn, along with postnatal care and family planning counselling. Choosing an injectable contraceptive, she felt more confident about spacing future pregnancies. Before leaving, Bibi Nooria received a Mama & Baby Kit and learned how to use it to keep herself and her newborn healthy.
Beyond medical care, Bibi Nooria and her husband were also educated about the expected drought conditions and how to prepare their household to cope with them. As they left the facility, they thanked the health workers who, with the support of UNFPA, CERF and AHF had helped them avert danger and find hope for a healthier future.
When asked about her dream, Bibi Nooria’s eyes lit up.
“I wish to have continuous access to quality health services for my family, and I hope my children can one day go to school and become doctors, helping other mothers like me,” she said.
The United Nations recently released a record US$16.6 million to help mitigate the effects of drought in the north and northeast, including Takhar province. This financing, which includes $6.6 million from CERF and $10 million from the AHF is crucial for provinces like Takhar are still reeling from successive droughts.
