Voices of Loss: Honoring the untold stories of maternal and perinatal deaths in Eastern DRC

The burden of maternal and perinatal mortality is a devastating reality in conflict-affected regions, where fragile health systems and limited access to life-saving care persist. Conflict weakens health infrastructure, depletes essential resources and disrupts services. Despite these challenges, pregnancy and childbirth don’t stop during crises- and neither should access to high-quality care. The stories in this booklet are drawn from two research studies conducted by the EQUAL research consortium partners in DRC. While the names and village details have been changed to protect privacy, the experiences are real. These are the voices of women and families who have faced the heartbreak of stillbirth and the death of mothers and newborns during and after pregnancy. Through their words, we gain insight into the realities of loss, quality of care, and the significant impact these experiences have on their lives.

Explore the full storybook in English and in French.