Medair has received $106,000 from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to increase and improve emergency obstetric care in the remote Ragh district, Badakhshan province, over the next two years.

"We'll be constructing an operating theatre and neonatal facility, as well as recruiting and training health staff. Unusually for this region, we'll also have an ambulance, plus a driver." said Gabriele Faender, Technical Development Supervisor, Medair Afghanistan. "We want to see major reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality in the province."

Badakhshan province has the world's highest-ever maternal mortality ratio recorded, with 6,500 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births [1]. At present there is only one emergency obstetric hospital for a population of 715,000 covering an area about the size of Switzerland. Lack of roads and wide, unbridged rivers make it difficult - impossible in winter - to access healthcare in this mountainous region.

[1] Bartlett L, Whitehead S, et al. (2002), Maternal Mortality in Afghanistan; Magnitude, Causes, Risk Factors and Preventability for MoPH, USCDCP, and Unicef, November 2002.

Medair has been in Ragh district since 2001 where it currently supports four fully-staffed health clinics, two basic and two comprehensive, along with 59 health posts staffed with male and female Community Health Workers (CHW's). As well as life-saving health care, Medair is also providing water and sanitation to 1,200 families in the Wardak and Bamyan provinces.

Medair's activities in Afghanistan are supported with the assistance of USAID (through WHO and the Ministry of Public Health), the Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission (ECHO), UNFPA, People in Need, EO Metterdaad, the Gertrude Hirtzel Foundation. However, Medair's life-saving activities are also dependent upon private financial donation. To contribute to this work, click on http://www.medair.org/donate .

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Medair brings life-saving relief and rehabilitation in disasters, crises, and conflict areas by working alongside the most vulnerable. Its staff are inspired by their Christian faith to care for people in need, providing practical and compassionate support, regardless of race, religion, or politics. The organisation's consistent focus ensures maximum efficiency and accountability, with ISO 9001 certification worldwide. Founded in 1988, Medar's unwavering commitment continues to bring hope to the world's most vulnerable.