×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

Training Skilled Birth Attendants in Haiti

News

Maternal Health

By Andrew MacCalla

Coinciding with the three year anniversary of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Direct Relief announced a $30,000 grant this week to be used for a year-long training program to enhance the skills of 180 birth attendants working in Haiti.

This program will result in safer deliveries for thousands of women and reduce the overall maternal mortality rate in Haiti while promoting the belief that within every healthy and gentle birth, there is a long-lasting, positive benefit to women and children and the development of their community.

The need for skilled birth attendants in Haiti is high. Childbirth is the leading cause of death for women in Haiti. There are 670 maternal deaths per 100,000 in the country—the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Additionally, more than 75 percent of births take place at home using birth attendants, who often have little formal training. Their role on the front lines of deliveries means they are critical health care providers and crucial to community restoration efforts.

This grant from Direct Relief will be provided to Mother Health International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to respond and provide relief to pregnant women and children in areas of disaster, war and extreme economic poverty. They are committed to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates by creating culturally competent, sustainable birth centers using the Traditional Midwifery Model of Care and by providing ongoing education and training to traditional birth attendants and midwives while respecting Haitian culture and customs.

This year-long training course will provide more than 100 hours of education to each student utilizing lectures, workshops, hands-on skills training, and videos to teach the birth attendants essential skills such as assessing pregnancy and prenatal complications; performing safe deliveries; and proper post-natal care.

The 180 birth attendants working in these six communities attend a combined total of 3,000 births per year. Therefore, it is essential that they have the proper training to handle a normal delivery as well as any complications that may arise during the pregnancy or delivery. Unfortunately, the majority of birth attendants in Haiti have not ever received this training or continuing training in the area.

This program will take place at birthing centers in the communities of: Jacmel, Port au Prince, Ouanamithe, Port de Paix, La Tortue, and Pignon.

Direct Relief has already provided the birthing centers in these communities with the upgraded equipment needed to care for complicated deliveries and perform caesarian sections. Now the birth attendants working in the area will be trained to recognize the need for these enhanced medical activities while also giving them the skills they need to perform safe in-home deliveries as well.

The education these women receive will not only lower the maternal mortality rates throughout the country, but will also enable them to advance their careers as birth attendants and midwives through this accredited training program.

Filed Under: , ,

Giving is Good Medicine

You don't have to donate. That's why it's so extraordinary if you do.