Statement: ACNM Stands with Ukraine

Released March 11, 2022

 The American College of Nurse-Midwives stands with people and organizations of conscience around the world in condemning the ongoing, unprovoked Russian incursion into Ukraine. We strongly denounce war in any format that further compounds the vulnerabilities of birthing people and children.

We have seen the horrifying pictures of women giving birth in underground metro stations as newborns are being moved to makeshift bomb shelters. As of yesterday, at least 17 people were injured and 3 were killed - women, children, health care providers - after the bombing of a maternity hospital in Mariupol. An estimated 80,000 women and girls will give birth over the next three months and many of them will not have access to maternal health care. As midwives, our hearts are with those who are suffering, and our minds are focused on providing a solution.

March is Women's History Month, and the 2022 theme is "Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope." In this time of uncertainty as conflict rages on in Ukraine, may we as midwives do everything in our power to continue to provide healing and promote hope. We commend the ceaseless hard work of caregivers and all those on the frontlines, especially our fellow midwives.

As we continue to strive for peace, the following organizations are asking for assistance to help alleviate a growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine:

UNICEF
UNICEF is supporting health, nutrition, safe drinking water, sanitation and protection for children and families caught in the conflict in Ukraine.

UNFPA
UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency whose mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.

International Committee of the Red Cross
The Switzerland-based international organization seeks to help people affected by the conflict and support the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross.

Save the Children
The London-based organization helps deliver essential humanitarian aid to vulnerable children in Ukraine and around the world.

UN Refugee Agency
The international organization is providing emergency assistance to families in Ukraine, including cash assistance and opportunities for resettlement.

Voices of Children
The charitable foundation of this organization is helping to provide psychological and psychosocial support to children affected by the Ukrainian conflict.