Nearly two-thirds of all global maternal deaths now occur in countries defined by conflict or extreme fragility. This staggering statistic highlights a growing health gap between stable nations and those facing ongoing crises.
Women in conflict-affected countries face a maternal mortality ratio five times higher than their peers in stable environments, according to new findings in the WHO report.
This risk multiplies with every pregnancy a woman undergoes while living under the shadow of violence or instability. Consequently, the lack of safety directly correlates with the rising number of preventable deaths during childbirth.
In 2023, approximately 160,000 women lost their lives due to preventable maternal causes in these fragile settings. These deaths represent six out of every ten maternal fatalities recorded worldwide during that single year. Remarkably, these countries account for only ten percent of global live births, yet they suffer the most losses.
Why Fragility Disrupts Essential Healthcare
A new technical brief from the World Health Organization (WHO) explains why these specific regions are so dangerous. The analysis suggests that health systems in fragile states cannot consistently deliver the lifesaving care mothers require. Furthermore, the intersection of gender, ethnicity, and age significantly increases the danger for pregnant girls and women.
The report aligns mortality estimates with a country’s status to show how institutional failure leads to tragedy . For instance, countries classified as conflict-affected show an estimated 504 deaths per 100,000 live births . In contrast, stable countries see a much lower ratio of only 99 deaths per 100,000 births .
The Lifetime Risk for Young Girls
The disparity in risk becomes even more apparent when looking at the lifetime statistics for young adolescents. A 15-year-old girl in a conflict zone has a 1 in 51 chance of dying from maternal causes. However, a girl of the same age in a stable country faces a much lower risk of 1 in 593. These findings confirm that global progress in maternal health has stalled in the world’s most vulnerable areas.
Innovative Local Solutions Save Lives
In Colombia, health officials are training traditional birth attendants to bridge the gap in maternal care. These local networks ensure that women receive timely assistance, even when geography or insecurity limits access to hospitals. Furthermore, this approach builds trust within communities that may be skeptical of formal institutions.
Similarly, Ethiopia focuses on re-establishing continuity of care through mobile medical teams and renovated facilities. By adding midwives to these mobile units, the country helps restore essential services immediately after a disruption. These practical measures prove that maternal health can remain a priority despite ongoing instability.
Breaking Barriers in Haiti and Ukraine
Haiti demonstrates how removing financial and infrastructure barriers can save lives during a crisis. The country provides free or low-cost caesarean sections and ensures reliable electricity for displaced women. Consequently, lifesaving surgery remains available to those who would otherwise have no access to medical care.
In conflict zones like Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and Ukraine, systems focus on protecting essential maternal services through careful planning . These nations are reorganizing patient pathways to move pregnant women toward safer facilities . Additionally, they are improving respectful and safe childbirth practices to maintain high standards of care during war.
Using Data to Strengthen Health Systems
The World Health Organization (WHO) and HRP now use fragility-aligned data to identify where help is needed most. By linking mortality rates to a country’s stability level, they can pinpoint specific health system weaknesses. This precise tool allows partners to invest in primary health care where it will have the greatest impact.
Experts emphasize the importance of strengthening data collection in hard-to-reach settings to ensure every death is counted. Furthermore, designing resilient health systems helps these regions absorb and adapt to sudden shocks or violence. Together, these efforts help accelerate progress toward a safer future for every mother.
Q&A Section: Understanding the Maternal Health Gap
Who published this new analysis on maternal mortality?
The technical brief was released by the WHO and HRP, a special programme involving UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, and the World Bank .
What is the primary cause of the spike in deaths?
Crises create conditions where health systems fail to provide consistent, lifesaving maternal care for women and girls .
How much higher is the risk in conflict zones?
The maternal mortality ratio is roughly five times higher for each pregnancy in a conflict-affected country compared to stable ones .
FAQ: Maternal Deaths in Fragile Settings
- How many women died in fragile settings in 2023?
An estimated 160,000 women died from preventable causes in these areas during 2023.
- What are the mortality ratios for different country types?
Conflict-affected countries average 504 deaths per 100,000 births, while fragile countries average 368, and stable countries average 99.
- Does migration status affect maternal risk?
Yes, the brief identifies that migration status, along with age and ethnicity, increases the risks women face during pregnancy.
- Has global progress been made recently?
Unfortunately, the latest estimates show that global progress has stalled, leaving maternal mortality high in low-income and crisis-affected settings .