International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

FIGO Chief Executive Hamid Rushwan said: ‘The earthquake is an utterly devastating event for everyone in Haiti. In particular, we are greatly concerned at the plight of pregnant women, new mothers and newborns - they must be suffering untold anguish as they await food, medicine and support. 

‘We must hope that international aid moves swiftly to help relieve the traumatic effects of this most appalling natural disaster.’ 

FIGO had been operating a maternal health project in Haiti - ‘Strengthening the Health Centre of Croix Des Bouquets’ - aimed at improving the capacity and quality of its reproductive health services. The overall objective of the project was to ensure access to skilled birth attendants in the region, aided by a functional referral system.