Burunga Province, Burundi — The first cry of a newborn cuts through the stillness of a crowded refugee clinic in southern Burundi, an unmistakable sound of life.
After fleeing brutal militia violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, 36-year-old Maombi Kijijwa delivered her son Luc Alphonse safely. His birth marked the 100th safe delivery at the Musenyi refugee site, a milestone in a place of uncertainty.
A year earlier, Maombi, her husband Mapenzi Salongo, and their 13 children fled their home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after a midnight raid by armed militia left relatives and neighbours dead. After an exhausting three-day journey on foot, the family crossed into Burundi and were relocated to Musenyi refugee site, where they began rebuilding their lives.
“When I found out I was pregnant, I was very afraid because I knew giving birth was going to be dangerous for me,” narrates Maombi.
Already the mother of 13 children, she had previously been warned by doctors that another pregnancy carried serious risks. Years of closely spaced pregnancies had taken a visible toll on her health, leaving her body weakened and at risk of serious complications.
During the course of her pregnancy, she had to seek urgent medical attention at the UNFPA-supported clinic in Musenyi.
“When I arrived at the clinic, my uterus was protruding, and the doctor had to gently push it back,” she recalled. “I had to rest with my feet elevated for several days until I felt better.”
A Difficult Birth, And a Moment of Joy
When labour began weeks later, midwives trained in emergency obstetric and newborn care were ready to assist.
“It was a very difficult labour, and I kept praying for my life and that of my baby,” Maombi says. “The midwife encouraged me to push gently, and finally, my baby was born. I am just happy that we both survived.”
Her newborn son became the 100th safe birth at Musenyi site, a milestone that reflects the vital role of reproductive health services for displaced women living in fragile conditions.
For Maombi, survival itself felt like a miracle. “My body felt tired, and I knew that if I kept having children like this, I could die,” she says. “I was praying for a solution for me not to have any more children.”
With counselling from the clinic’s midwives, she chose to begin using family planning so she can protect her health and continue caring for her children.
A Father’s Change of Heart
Maombi’s husband, Mapenzi Salongo, a pastor, was involved throughout the process and says the experience transformed his views about childbirth and family planning.
“In the past, we did not believe in family planning,” Because of this cultural and religious belief, many women have lost their lives,” explains Mapenzi. “I even lost my sister to excessive bleeding during childbirth. The doctor told her that another pregnancy would not be safe, but we chose to ignore the advice.”
When doctors warned that another pregnancy could cost his wife her life, fear set in.“I was equally scared when we found out she was pregnant again,” he says. “If my wife died, I would be left alone in difficult circumstances with all these children.”
After witnessing the care his wife received and learning more about maternal health risks, he made a decision to embrace family planning. “I agreed that my wife should take family planning to save her life,” he says. “Now I speak to other men and religious leaders so they understand the importance of protecting women’s health".
Midwives Saving Lives Every Day
Behind each safe birth at Musenyi is a dedicated team of midwives working around the clock.
“Our midwives ensure that services are available 24 hours a day to the many pregnant women living at this site,” explains Aline Niyonkuru, one of the midwives working at Musenyi site. “We offer a full range of services from pre to post natal care, and also educate mothers about family planning after delivery because many women here have multiple pregnancies without proper spacing.”
On average, the clinic receives at least 15 women each week for delivery. Some arrive with serious complications such as hemorrhage, requiring urgent medical care. With medicines, equipment and training provided through UNFPA support, midwives are able to manage these obstetric emergencies.
“Some women arrive already in labour and with complications because they are not yet aware that they should come to the clinic for regular prenatal check-ups,” Aline says. “But with community outreach and awareness, we believe this will improve.”
Delivering life-saving care in a humanitarian crisis
The ongoing conflict in DRC has displaced thousands of Congolese into Burundi. In coordination with partners, UNFPA is responding to the urgent needs of over 100,000 refugees living within the host communities in Musenyi and Busuma sites.
Health workers supported by UNFPA have assisted during births and provided thousands of consultations, obstetric ultrasounds and essential reproductive health services for women and girls at the sites.
A family upheld
For families who have fled violence and uncertainty, the safe birth of a child represents more than a milestone.
Holding his newborn son, Mapenzi reflects on what the moment means for his family.
“If these health workers had not been here, I might have lost my wife,” he says. “Today we are together and raising our children, and for that, we are deeply grateful.”
