Motherhood in exile: giving birth safely in Lebanon

At the age of 21, Ghinwa, from Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, finally realized her dream of becoming a mother after a difficult journey. After undergoing medical treatment that enabled her to become pregnant with twins, her life was turned upside down when escalating tensions in her region forced her and her husband to leave their home and seek refuge elsewhere.

Now living in a collective shelter in Saïda with her husband, Ghinwa, eight months pregnant, was sleeping in a school playground for lack of available rooms. The approach of the birth and the precarious living conditions increased her anxiety: the lack of security, the cold, and the lack of clean spaces increased the risk of infections, making her fearful for the health of her future babies.

Essential medical care and advice

It was against this backdrop that Première Urgence Internationale’s Birth Cash Assistance team paid a visit to the collective shelter, and Ghinwa was able to benefit from essential help given her vulnerability. As soon as she registered, she began receiving prenatal advice and consultations on the spot. “The midwives carried out a full prenatal assessment, monitoring my babies’ heart rhythms and advising my husband and me,” she recounts. “Their presence was an immense comfort in this difficult context as I had not been able to attend any of my prenatal appointments after we left Nabatieh.”

Thanks to the support of Première Urgence Internationale, Ghinwa was referred to a primary healthcare center for more in-depth obstetric consultations. She gave birth to two healthy twin girls in early October 2024.

As well as covering the cost of the birth, the financial support she received enabled her to travel to the postnatal care center, where she was given invaluable advice for her new life as a mother. Ghinwa also received an essential kit for herself and her children, including essential supplies for postnatal care.

A midwife providing Ghinwa with her first postnatal care session at the hospital

“A major financial burden has been lifted,” she says, “and the advice received during the sessions has really helped me prepare for this new chapter. The support of the midwives enabled me to overcome the challenges of the caesarean section and to understand essential care for my babies, including breastfeeding. Although there are still challenges ahead, I feel better equipped for the future.”

Learn more about our mission in Lebanon

With this ECHO-funded project, Première Urgence Internationale continues to provide crucial support to pregnant women in conflict-affected regions, offering much more than financial aid: genuine accompaniment towards a more serene future for mothers and their children.