Lebanon War Puts Pregnant Women at Risk

Despite a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon’s healthcare system continues to face critical challenges. The conflict has forced thousands of displaced mothers into precarious situations, with many struggling to secure basic medical care. Among them is Nour, a 32-year-old woman who fled Beirut during intense shelling while four months pregnant.

“I was breathing slowly and holding my belly the whole time,” Nour recalled to DW, describing her escape from relentless bombardment just days before the ceasefire began on April 17. “Being pregnant makes everything heavier — not just physically, but emotionally.” She requested anonymity to protect her identity.

Nour now resides in a collective shelter, one of hundreds scattered across the nation. These facilities, often overcrowded and lacking privacy, pose heightened risks for expectant mothers. Sanitation issues and limited access to essential services compound the dangers, particularly in regions affected by the broader Middle East conflict.

The crisis escalated in early March when Hezbollah, backed by Iran, launched an attack on Israel. This triggered widespread displacement, with Lebanese health authorities reporting over 1.2 million people forced from their homes since the start of the war. The majority remain in temporary housing, as the ceasefire approaches its end.

Maternal Health in Peril

United Nations agencies highlight the severe consequences for women. Anandita Philipose, UNFPA’s Lebanon representative, emphasized the dire state of maternal care. “The situation for women and girls in Lebanon is catastrophic,” she said. “Of the 1.2 million displaced since March 2, over 13,500 are pregnant, and 1,500 are expected to give birth within the next month.”

Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, with many damaged or operating at reduced capacity. “We cannot bring in enough supplies and have to ration medication in case the conflict lasts more than three months,” said Zeina Khouri Stevens, vice president for health services at Beirut’s LAU Medical Center. “This instability further weakens the health system.”

The World Health Organization noted that at least 51 primary healthcare centers have been closed during the fighting. Medical workers, including dozens killed in the conflict, face increasing challenges in delivering care. In the southern regions, access to medical services is nearly nonexistent for 150,000 people, including approximately 1,700 pregnant women.

Challenges Beyond the Battlefield

Lebanon’s health system was already in crisis before the current conflict. “The system first became strained by the massive influx of Syrian refugees beginning in 2013,” explained Jade Khalife, a public health physician and epidemiologist in Beirut. “An acute shock followed in late 2019 with the economic collapse.”

Four years into an economic downturn worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut port blast in August 2020, and a prolonged political vacuum, the country unveiled its national health strategy, “Vision 2030,” in January 2023. Former health minister Firass Abiad stated the plan aimed to modernize the sector, but current conditions threaten its success.

Aid efforts are underway, yet constrained by funding gaps and ongoing instability. Mobile medical units and reproductive health kits have been deployed where possible, with local midwives and doctors providing support. However, Philipose noted the response remains insufficient. “Our emergency appeal for March to May sought $12 million (€10.2 million) to assist 225,000 people, but only a fraction has been received.”