Aid Cuts Threaten Mothers and Newborns at Rwandan Refugee Clinic

A maternity clinic serving women at the Mahama refugee camp in eastern Rwanda — a facility credited with dramatically reducing newborn deaths — is facing an uncertain future following sweeping cuts to U.S. foreign aid.

The clinic, operated by Save the Children, receives 70 percent of its funding from the U.S. government. Before it opened in 2023, women in the camp faced journeys of up to two hours to reach the nearest hospital. Dr. Yassin Uwimana, who leads obstetric and neonatal care at the site, recalled tragedies from that era, including two infants who died during transport due to emergency complications. Since the clinic opened, newborn deaths have fallen to nearly one-thirtieth of their previous levels.

When President Trump halted foreign aid spending upon returning to office in January, the clinic was informed its funding would run out in August. A short-term extension has kept it running through November, but its long-term future remains unclear.

Beyond Rwanda, researchers at the Guttmacher Institute estimate that more than 8,000 women and girls globally are believed to have died from pregnancy and birth complications linked to the aid freeze, with that toll potentially rising to 34,000 by year's end. Millions of women in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere have lost access to contraceptive care and maternal health services as clinics have closed and health workers have been let go.

For communities of faith committed to the sanctity of life and the care of the vulnerable, the situation presents a sobering challenge. Many faith-based organizations already partner with international aid programs to support mothers and children in crisis settings. Church leaders and humanitarian groups have called for renewed attention to the needs of women and infants in the world's most fragile communities.