Giving Birth in Conflict

When Sonia was seven months pregnant, a wave of extreme violence struck Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic. She had to flee her neighborhood with her parents and take refuge at the M’Poko camp near Bangui international airport. Today, the M’Poko Camp hosts around 40,000 people. The assistance there is insufficient. People lack water, food, and shelter and now the rainy season is approaching, which is certain to make things worse.

MSF is running a field hospital and three health posts in the camp. Every day, MSF teams provide more than 1,000 consultations and help at least 10 women give birth. Today Sonia was one of those women.

Ann Van Haver, midwife for MSF, takes care of Sonia during the delivery. Sonia is 21 years old. She came to the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in M’Poko camp to deliver in the proximity of the Bangui international airport. Last December, while Sonia was more than 7 months pregnant, a wave of extreme violence struck Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, obliging her to flee her neighborhood and seek refuge at the M’Poko camp. Today, the M’Poko Camp hosts around 40,000 people. The assistance is insufficient. People living there lack water, food and shelters while the rainy season approaches. Since December, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) intervenes in the camp. Today, through a field hospital and three health posts in the camp, every day the MSF teams provide over 1000 consultations and help at least 10 women to give birth daily.

Laurence Geai

Sonia is getting ready on the delivery table. Sonia is 21 years old. She came to the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in M’Poko camp to deliver in the proximity of the Bangui international airport. Last December, while Sonia was more than 7 months pregnant, a wave of extreme violence struck Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, obliging her to flee her neighborhood and seek refuge at the M’Poko camp. Today, the M’Poko Camp hosts around 40,000 people. The assistance is insufficient. People living there lack water, food and shelters while the rainy season approaches. Since December, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) intervenes in the camp. Today, through a field hospital and three health posts in the camp, every day the MSF teams provide over 1000 consultations and help at least 10 women to give birth daily.

Laurence Geai

Sonia gave birth to a boy. His name is Laurent. He is her first child. Sonia is 21 years old. She came to the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in M’Poko camp to deliver in the proximity of the Bangui international airport. Last December, while Sonia was more than 7 months pregnant, a wave of extreme violence struck Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, obliging her to flee her neighborhood and seek refuge at the M’Poko camp. Today, the M’Poko Camp hosts around 40,000 people. The assistance is insufficient. People living there lack water, food and shelters while the rainy season approaches. Since December, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) intervenes in the camp. Today, through a field hospital and three health posts in the camp, every day the MSF teams provide over 1000 consultations and help at least 10 women to give birth daily.

Laurence Geai

The medical team washes him and examines him under the scrutiny of his grandmother. Sonia is 21 years old. She came to the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in M’Poko camp to deliver in the proximity of the Bangui international airport. Last December, while Sonia was more than 7 months pregnant, a wave of extreme violence struck Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, obliging her to flee her neighborhood and seek refuge at the M’Poko camp. Today, the M’Poko Camp hosts around 40,000 people. The assistance is insufficient. People living there lack water, food and shelters while the rainy season approaches. Since December, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) intervenes in the camp. Today, through a field hospital and three health posts in the camp, every day the MSF teams provide over 1000 consultations and help at least 10 women to give birth daily.

Laurence Geai

Sonia rests with her baby after delivery. Sonia is 21 years old. She came to the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in M’Poko camp to deliver in the proximity of the Bangui international airport. Last December, while Sonia was more than 7 months pregnant, a wave of extreme violence struck Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, obliging her to flee her neighborhood and seek refuge at the M’Poko camp. Today, the M’Poko Camp hosts around 40,000 people. The assistance is insufficient. People living there lack water, food and shelters while the rainy season approaches. Since December, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) intervenes in the camp. Today, through a field hospital and three health posts in the camp, every day the MSF teams provide over 1000 consultations and help at least 10 women to give birth daily.

Laurence Geai

While Sonia and her parents fled together in December to M’Poko camp, the arrival of Laurent made them want to go back home. The hygiene conditions in the camp are too difficult. Sonia is 21 years old. She came to the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in M’Poko camp to deliver in the proximity of the Bangui international airport. Last December, while Sonia was more than 7 months pregnant, a wave of extreme violence struck Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, obliging her to flee her neighborhood and seek refuge at the M’Poko camp. Today, the M’Poko Camp hosts around 40,000 people. The assistance is insufficient. People living there lack water, food and shelters while the rainy season approaches. Since December, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) intervenes in the camp. Today, through a field hospital and three health posts in the camp, every day the MSF teams provide over 1000 consultations and help at least 10 women to give birth daily.

Laurence Geai

Today, Sonia continues to care for her child. But tensions in the neighborhood of PK5 remain. Shootings and exactions happen daily. Sonia is 21 years old. She came to the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in M’Poko camp to deliver in the proximity of the Bangui international airport. Last December, while Sonia was more than 7 months pregnant, a wave of extreme violence struck Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, obliging her to flee her neighborhood and seek refuge at the M’Poko camp. Today, the M’Poko Camp hosts around 40,000 people. The assistance is insufficient. People living there lack water, food and shelters while the rainy season approaches. Since December, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) intervenes in the camp. Today, through a field hospital and three health posts in the camp, every day the MSF teams provide over 1000 consultations and help at least 10 women to give birth daily.

Laurence Geai

Giving Birth in Conflict

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