The Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women launches a midwifery program in Mbira camp, Mauritania

Nouakchott, 11 November / WAM / Under the generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Emirates”, President of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, Honorary President of the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women was launched in cooperation with the Emirates Red Crescent, the Mauritanian Ministry of Health, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Higher School of Health, and the Union of Mauritanian academics and intellectuals organized an educational training program in the field of midwifery and reproductive health for a number of refugee women in Mbira camp.

This initiative aims to improve health and reproductive culture among refugee women, in addition to training and qualifying those who have the ability to work in this field to provide comprehensive health care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond, and to promote reproductive health in the refugee community.

Participants in this course, which will last for six months, will be awarded certificates accredited as midwives by the Mauritanian Ministry of Health.

Training topics include reproductive and mental health awareness, health education, proper nutrition for mother and child before and after birth, and education about reproductive rights.

Her Excellency Dr. Maitha Al Shamsi, Minister of State and Chairperson of the Supreme Committee of the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women, said that this program comes in response to the growing need for maternal and child health services in refugee communities. As women face great challenges in obtaining specialized and safe health care, she explained that through this program, a selected group of refugee women will be trained in the basics of midwifery, under the supervision of experts in reproductive health, and in line with international medical and humanitarian standards.

She pointed out that Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak launched the fund with the aim of providing aid and support to refugee women and enabling them to access opportunities and resources to live in dignity and safety, by launching initiatives and developing programs aimed at providing education, health and psychological care, and developing their skills to participate in production and improve their living conditions.

For his part, His Excellency Ahmed Sari Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Emirates Red Crescent, explained that this program reflects the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, in strengthening the health and social care system for women, especially refugee women who face serious health, psychological and social challenges during periods of forced displacement.

He pointed out that the initiative represents an integrated humanitarian response that contributes to improving the health of mothers and newborns, and reducing mortality rates during pregnancy and childbirth, by providing preventive and curative medical services and postpartum follow-up.

Al Mazrouei stressed that Her Highness’s initiatives constitute a pioneering model in women’s health and social empowerment, and strengthen international efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable groups of women and children, by adopting innovative solutions that ensure a healthy, safe and sustainable living environment. He added: “Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak was, and continues to be, a fundamental pillar in supporting humanitarian and development work, and a strategic partner in enhancing the services of the Emirates Red Crescent inside and outside the country.”

He explained that the authority, in cooperation with its local and international partners in the initiative, will work to expand the scope of health care services for refugee mothers and children, and enhance their health and community awareness, in a way that ensures improving the quality of life and improving public health indicators in the most fragile communities.

It is worth noting that the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Refugee Women was established at the generous initiative of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2003, and aims to finance projects that improve the level of services directed to refugee women, and improve their humanitarian, economic and life conditions in general, in addition to providing health and vocational training programs for refugee women.

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