South Sudan has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world.  With a rate of 102 deaths per 1,000 deaths, newborns have roughly a 1 in 10 chance of survival. Expectant mothers also experience a high risk of death during delivery, with a maternal mortality rate 33x higher than in the United States. It’s a dangerous undertaking to have a baby in a country where over 80% of births are unattended due to a lack of access to healthcare services.

GEMS Development Foundation is building a healthcare clinic in the village of Majak Goi, South Sudan, to give mothers and newborns in the area the opportunity to have a safer delivery experience. Whether they chose to give birth in the clinic or at home, sterile birthing kits can make the difference between survival and death from post-delivery infections. For a $65 donation, we can provide an expectant mother with a birthing kit which will include sterile gloves, soap, washable underpad, peri bottle, sterile lube jelly, povidone-Iodine swab stick, scrub brush, gauze sponges, paper tape, sterile blade, cord ties or umbilical cord clamps, scalpel, alcohol prep pads, maternity pad with mesh brief, new cloth diapers, sterile bulb syringe, swaddling cloth, and newborn-infant hat. Newborn kits are also available for $62 and come with baby shampoo, baby soap, baby oil, wash cloth wipes set, new cloth diapers, diaper safety pins, hospital quality baby swaddling blanket, newborn-infant hat, and sterile bulb syringe.

Every woman should deliver safely. A small donation can make a world of a difference for these vulnerable mothers and babies. Donate today to help purchase medical supplies and save the precious lives of women and newborns in South Sudan.