Responding to the increased risk facing an estimated 126,000 pregnant women in Nepal after last month’s devastating earthquakes, Direct Relief has committed an initial $100,000 in emergency cash to the Midwifery Society of Nepal (MIDSON), in addition to Midwife Kits and tents. MIDSON also will receive technical assistance from the International Confederation of Midwives to support the continuity and expansion of the critical services MIDSON provides for mothers and newborns.

“Women feel neither safe nor secure, and midwives– also victims of the quake — lack sufficient medical commodities,” said Kiran Bajracharya, President of MIDSON.  “I express my sincere gratitude to Direct Relief and ICM. Their support means that midwives in Nepal can provide survivors with respectful care.”

Since the earthquake struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, Direct Relief has delivered 60 tons of medical supplies and medications to several hospitals and other sites throughout the country.  With guidance from ICM and other Nepal-based organizations, Direct Relief is preparing additional deliveries that include tents to serve as birthing centers and pregnancy-specific medical supplies, delivered by One Heart World-Wide.