Maternal death rates have increased in the conflict-affected Southwest and Northwest Regions of Cameroon over the past five years. Cameroon is now among the top 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa with the highest maternal mortality rates, at 500 deaths per 100,000 live births, most of which are preventable. In 2024, the Berine and Bokwe Foundation (BEBOF) – a women-led Cameroonian NGO – was awarded a grant to launch a maternal health mobile clinic in Matoh. The mobile clinic distributes safe birthing kits and misoprostol to prevent postpartum hemorrhage, provides prenatal care, offers vouchers for free delivery at partner health clinics, transports women experiencing emergencies to the hospital, trains birth attendants, and raises awareness about the importance of maternal health.

In January 2025, the new United States administration issued an Executive Order pausing U.S. foreign development assistance funding. BEBOF is among the thousands of implementing partners impacted by the funding freeze and subsequent stop-work order, bringing the Maternal Health Mobile Hub to an abrupt halt. With 100 women currently receiving prenatal care and preparing to deliver their babies, the need for stopgap funding to continue providing essential maternal healthcare services is critical. ODW is providing emergency funding so that BEBOF’s maternal health services can continue while alternative or additional funding for the project is identified.