Doctors Without Borders: Rising maternal mortality rate in West Darfur is alarming

December 2, 2025 (PEN) A Doctors Without Borders official said on Tuesday that the high maternal mortality rate in West Darfur is alarming, given the deteriorating health conditions due to a lack of funding and the reduction of the number of hospitals and health centers in Darfur to less than 40% compared to the number of facilities operating before the war.

“The maternal mortality rate in West Darfur is alarmingly high, with more than one death per month this year,” said Doctors Without Borders operations director Kenneth Lavelle in a video.

Lavelle reported that safe birthing services were unavailable, forcing many women to give birth at home with the help of traditional midwives who were often untrained or lacked proper equipment, putting both mother and child at serious risk.

He explained that Doctors Without Borders provides financial support to the association to continue providing free care for mothers and uncomplicated deliveries at Al-Junaynah Hospital.

Doctors Without Borders noted its partnership with the Family Planning Association last March, after an international organization withdrew from managing maternity services at Al-Junaynah Hospital following the cessation of its funding, which came from the United States Agency for International Development.