Nsanje, MALAWI—In 2023, Annie Mussa’s village in Nsanje was devastated by Cyclone Freddy. The cyclone brought relentless rain that flooded the entire area, forcing families to flee to higher ground. The only shelter available was a small primary school, several kilometres away.
At the time, Annie was nine months pregnant.
At the displacement camp, she was able to receive antenatal care through integrated mobile clinic services supported by UNFPA through the UNFPA's Maternal Health Thematic Fund and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. These mobile teams brought essential health services—antenatal, postnatal, and under-five care—directly to displaced women like Annie.
All the pregnant women in the camp received the services. They helped us stay healthy. I knew my baby would be safe, even though we were living in a difficult place.
But nothing could fully prepare her for what came next. One night, Annie went into labour. There was no time to call an ambulance. In the dark and confusion, older women in the camp helped her deliver.
A cry rang out—it was a girl.
But almost immediately, Annie began to bleed heavily. Realizing the danger, the women rushed her to Nsanje District Hospital.
“I was well received at the hospital,” Annie recalled. “The health staff were kind. They assessed me and found a tear in my uterus was causing the bleeding. They closed it—and after a few days, I was okay.”
Thanks to UNFPA’s Health System Strengthening programme, staff at Nsanje Hospital had been mentored on critical maternal care skills: skilled delivery, managing complications like haemorrhage and hypertension, newborn resuscitation, and emergency referrals. Renovated maternity and newborn units, plus backup power for surgeries, helped ensure safe, continuous care.
Annie and her baby were discharged after three days. Back at the camp, she continued to receive postnatal support from the mobile clinic.
“I am grateful for the care I received,” she said. “If I hadn’t, I might not have survived.”
By Joseph Scott, Communications Specialist
