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Sample Proposal on “Improving Maternal and Child Health Outcomes in Conflict-Affected Middle Eastern Regions”

Executive Summary

Conflict-affected regions in the Middle East face profound and persistent challenges in delivering essential health services to women and children. Years of war, political instability, and economic hardship have led to the collapse of critical health infrastructure, displacement of healthcare personnel, and widespread insecurity. These conditions have resulted in severe disruptions to maternal and child healthcare, including antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric services, immunization, and nutrition support. Pregnant women are often forced to give birth without trained assistance, and young children are at heightened risk of preventable illnesses and death due to lack of timely care. As a result, maternal and infant mortality rates in these regions remain alarmingly high, with long-term consequences for families and communities.

This proposal outlines a targeted, community-centered intervention to improve maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes in crisis-affected areas across the Middle East. The initiative aims to rebuild local health system capacity by training frontline healthcare providers, restoring essential services, deploying mobile clinics, and ensuring reliable access to medicines, equipment, and emergency care. A strong focus will be placed on community outreach, awareness-building, and collaboration with trusted local partners to strengthen demand for services and improve care-seeking behavior. By working closely with ministries of health, local NGOs, and international agencies, this project will reduce preventable deaths, restore continuity of care, and contribute to long-term resilience in some of the region’s most vulnerable and underserved populations.

Introduction

Armed conflict and political instability have devastated healthcare systems across several Middle Eastern countries, placing women and children at heightened risk of illness and death. Maternal mortality rates remain unacceptably high, and thousands of children under five continue to die from preventable conditions such as malnutrition, diarrhea, and respiratory infections. In many cases, primary healthcare facilities are non-functional, and essential services like antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and immunization are inaccessible.

This proposal seeks to address these urgent needs by implementing a comprehensive maternal and child health program in conflict-affected areas. Through health system strengthening, mobile outreach, skilled workforce training, and community-based interventions, we aim to restore essential services and promote health equity. The initiative will focus on high-need regions in collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure culturally appropriate, sustainable impact.

Problem Statement

Women and children in conflict-affected areas of the Middle East are disproportionately affected by weakened healthcare systems, disrupted services, and extreme vulnerability. Key challenges include:

  • Lack of skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care

  • Inadequate antenatal and postnatal care services

  • High rates of child malnutrition and preventable diseases

  • Displacement and lack of access to health facilities

  • Weak health information systems and supply chain breakdowns

  • Low levels of community trust and health awareness

These issues are compounded by insecurity, gender inequality, and logistical constraints, which hinder humanitarian access and service delivery. Addressing maternal and child health in such settings is not only a moral imperative—it is central to restoring dignity, stability, and hope in crisis-affected populations.

Goal

  • The overarching goal of this initiative is to improve maternal and child health outcomes in conflict-affected regions of the Middle East by significantly increasing access to quality, lifesaving health services and building the capacity of local health systems to provide sustainable, equitable, and responsive care. This goal addresses the urgent need to reduce maternal and infant mortality, prevent avoidable illnesses, and restore dignity and hope to vulnerable populations by ensuring that women and children receive the care they need—regardless of displacement, poverty, or insecurity.

Objectives

  • Expand Access to Essential MNCH Services

    • Deploy fixed, mobile, and outreach health services to deliver antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, postnatal care, immunization, and child health services in underserved and conflict-affected areas. Special focus will be placed on reaching internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and host communities with culturally appropriate and gender-sensitive services.

  • Train and Deploy Skilled Health Professionals

    • Build the capacity of the local health workforce by training midwives, nurses, and community health workers (CHWs) in emergency obstetric and neonatal care, integrated management of childhood illnesses (IMCI), and respectful maternity care. These professionals will be strategically deployed to health facilities and mobile units to close critical service gaps.

  • Strengthen Facility Capacity for Emergency Care

    • Rehabilitate damaged health infrastructure and equip facilities with essential tools, supplies, and protocols to manage complications during pregnancy and childbirth, care for newborns, and treat pediatric conditions. This includes setting up referral mechanisms, upgrading delivery rooms, and ensuring 24/7 availability of skilled staff in high-need areas.

  • Improve Supply Chain Systems

    • Ensure uninterrupted availability of essential medicines, maternal health kits, vaccines, clean delivery supplies, and nutrition supplements by strengthening procurement, storage, and distribution systems. Support the adoption of digital inventory tracking tools and train facility managers in logistics management to improve reliability and efficiency.

  • Enhance Community Awareness and Engagement

    • Conduct community-based education and outreach activities to promote safe motherhood, exclusive breastfeeding, immunization, hygiene practices, and timely care-seeking. Partner with local leaders, women’s groups, and religious figures to foster trust, address cultural barriers, and increase the demand for maternal and child health services.

  • Establish Robust Monitoring Systems

    • Set up monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems to collect and analyze health data, track service coverage, identify gaps, and assess health outcomes. Implement digital data collection tools for CHWs, and establish feedback loops between communities, facilities, and implementing partners to guide continuous improvement and accountability.

Program Activities

  • Conduct Needs Assessments and Mapping of Health Service Gaps

    • Comprehensive needs assessments will be conducted at the outset to understand the specific maternal and child health challenges in each target area. This includes mapping existing health facilities, identifying service gaps, analyzing demographic and epidemiological data, and consulting with local stakeholders. The findings will guide the design and prioritization of interventions to ensure they are contextually relevant and address the most urgent needs.

  • Establish or Rehabilitate Maternal and Child Health Clinics

    • Fixed and mobile health units will be established or rehabilitated to ensure continuous access to maternal and child health services, especially in remote or conflict-affected areas. These clinics will be equipped with essential infrastructure, medical supplies, and trained staff to offer antenatal care, skilled delivery, postnatal support, immunizations, and treatment for common childhood illnesses.

  • Provide Training for Health Professionals

    • Midwives, nurses, doctors, and community health workers will receive targeted training on emergency obstetric and neonatal care, integrated management of childhood illnesses (IMCI), breastfeeding promotion, respectful maternity care, and psychosocial support. Capacity building will be delivered through a combination of in-person workshops, clinical mentoring, and e-learning platforms to ensure practical, scalable, and sustainable impact.

  • Distribute Maternal and Child Health Supplies

    • Essential supplies such as clean delivery kits, newborn care items, nutritional supplements (including iron, folic acid, and therapeutic food), vaccines, and hygiene materials will be procured and distributed to health facilities and outreach teams. These resources are critical for preventing maternal and infant mortality and supporting safe pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood development.

  • Implement Community Education Campaigns

    • Behavior change communication (BCC) activities will be rolled out at the community level to improve awareness of maternal and child health topics, including the importance of antenatal care, birth preparedness, immunization, hygiene, and early care-seeking for childhood illnesses. IEC (Information, Education, Communication) materials will be developed in local languages, and radio programs, group discussions, and street theatre will be used to reach diverse populations.

  • Engage Local Leaders and Women’s Groups

    • Partnerships with religious leaders, tribal elders, women’s groups, and community volunteers will be established to promote local ownership, cultural sensitivity, and trust. These stakeholders will play an active role in encouraging service uptake, addressing harmful practices, and supporting mothers and caregivers through peer support networks and community dialogues.

  • Develop Digital Health Tools

    • Mobile and web-based digital platforms will be developed or adapted for use by community health workers and facility staff. These tools will facilitate real-time data collection, patient tracking, appointment reminders, referrals, and delivery of health education content. Digital dashboards will also support program monitoring and decision-making by local and national health authorities.

  • Coordinate with Ministries of Health and Align with National Strategies

    • Continuous collaboration with national and regional health authorities will ensure that all project activities complement existing public health priorities and contribute to national maternal and child health strategies. Regular coordination meetings, policy dialogues, and joint planning sessions will support sustainability, alignment with standards, and eventual government ownership of key interventions.

Target Beneficiaries

  • Pregnant and Lactating Women

    • These women are among the most vulnerable populations in conflict-affected regions, facing significant barriers to accessing quality antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. The project will prioritize their access to skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric services, nutrition support, psychosocial care, and breastfeeding counseling to ensure safe pregnancies and healthy outcomes for both mothers and infants.

  • Children Under Five Years of Age

    • Infants and young children are at heightened risk of malnutrition, preventable diseases, and early mortality due to disruptions in healthcare, food insecurity, and poor living conditions. The project will deliver immunizations, growth monitoring, nutrition supplements, and treatment for common illnesses such as pneumonia and diarrhea to safeguard their health and support early childhood development.

  • Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Refugees

    • Conflict and displacement have uprooted millions in the Middle East, leaving many without access to healthcare or basic services. This project will specifically target IDP and refugee populations—especially women and children living in camps or informal settlements—by providing mobile clinics, outreach services, and culturally sensitive care designed to overcome legal, linguistic, and logistical barriers.

  • Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Midwives

    • CHWs and midwives are essential front-line providers in low-resource and crisis-affected settings. By training and equipping these workers with the knowledge, tools, and support to deliver high-impact maternal and child health services, the project will empower communities to respond more effectively to local needs while expanding service coverage and trust.

  • Health Facility Staff in Conflict-Affected Areas

    • Nurses, doctors, and administrative staff working in conflict zones often operate under extreme pressure, with limited supplies, security risks, and high patient loads. This initiative will build their capacity through ongoing training, technical assistance, and improved infrastructure, enabling them to offer higher-quality care even under challenging conditions.

  • Local Women’s Groups and Community Leaders

    • Women’s associations, mothers’ groups, and influential community figures play a critical role in shaping health-seeking behaviors, advocating for service improvements, and supporting outreach. The project will actively engage these groups to foster community ownership, promote behavior change, and ensure the inclusion of local voices in the design and delivery of health interventions.

Expected Outcomes

  • Increased Availability of Skilled Birth Attendants and Emergency Care in Targeted Areas

    • Through the training and deployment of midwives, nurses, and emergency obstetric care providers, conflict-affected areas will experience a measurable increase in the number of skilled professionals available to support safe deliveries. Health facilities will be better staffed and equipped to handle complications, resulting in fewer maternal and neonatal deaths during childbirth.

  • Improved Antenatal and Postnatal Care Coverage Among Conflict-Affected Populations

    • Expanded access to health facilities and mobile clinics will lead to higher rates of antenatal visits, timely checkups, and postnatal follow-ups for mothers and infants. Early identification of high-risk pregnancies and close monitoring will improve overall maternal and infant health outcomes in vulnerable populations.

  • Reduced Incidence of Malnutrition and Preventable Childhood Illnesses

    • By providing nutrition supplements, growth monitoring, immunizations, and treatment for common illnesses such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria, the program will contribute to a decline in malnutrition and disease-related mortality among children under five. Community-based screening and referral systems will ensure timely care.

  • Greater Community Knowledge of Maternal and Child Health Practices

    • Awareness campaigns and outreach efforts will enhance community understanding of key health behaviors such as proper hygiene, exclusive breastfeeding, antenatal attendance, immunization, and birth preparedness. This improved knowledge will encourage timely care-seeking and reduce harmful practices.

  • Strengthened Health Facility Readiness and Referral Systems

    • Investment in infrastructure, supplies, and staff training will improve the capacity of health facilities to deliver essential maternal and child health services. Clear referral protocols and functioning communication systems will be established to ensure that complicated cases are swiftly transferred to higher-level care when needed.

  • Improved Health Data Collection and Response Planning

    • The introduction of digital tools and structured monitoring systems will enhance the collection of accurate, real-time data on service delivery, patient outcomes, and health system performance. This will support better planning, more efficient allocation of resources, and evidence-based decision-making.

  • Enhanced Collaboration Between Humanitarian Actors and Local Health Authorities

    • Strong coordination mechanisms will be developed to align humanitarian interventions with national health strategies. Joint planning, information sharing, and integration of services will foster sustainability and support long-term system recovery and resilience in conflict-affected regions.

Monitoring and Evaluation

A robust M&E framework will guide implementation and accountability. Key indicators will include:

  • Number of Health Workers Trained in Maternal and Child Health

    • This indicator will track the total number of healthcare personnel—including midwives, nurses, doctors, and community health workers—who receive formal training in maternal and child health (MCH) services. Training topics include emergency obstetric and neonatal care, breastfeeding support, integrated management of childhood illnesses, and respectful care. Disaggregation by gender, profession, and location will help assess equity and reach.

  • Percentage of Births Attended by Skilled Personnel

    • This outcome indicator measures the proportion of deliveries conducted under the care of trained health professionals. An increase in this figure reflects improved access to safe and skilled childbirth services, which is directly linked to reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality and complications during delivery.

  • Coverage Rates for Antenatal, Postnatal, and Child Immunization Services

    • These indicators assess the percentage of pregnant women receiving at least four antenatal visits, the proportion of mothers and newborns who receive postnatal care within 48 hours, and the immunization coverage among children under five (e.g., DPT, measles, polio). These rates demonstrate the reach and effectiveness of primary health interventions for mothers and children.

  • Malnutrition Rates Among Children Under Five

    • This indicator will track the prevalence of acute and chronic malnutrition—such as wasting, stunting, and underweight status—among children under five in target areas. Regular screening and nutrition assessments will provide data to evaluate program impact on child nutrition and inform the targeting of nutrition-related interventions.

  • Number of Functional Health Facilities Providing MNCH Services

    • This indicator reflects the number of operational health facilities (fixed or mobile) that are fully equipped and staffed to deliver maternal, newborn, and child health services. Functionality will be assessed based on service availability, infrastructure readiness, essential drug supply, staff capacity, and referral capabilities.

  • Beneficiary Satisfaction and Community Feedback

    • Qualitative indicators will be collected through community surveys, focus group discussions, and client feedback tools to measure perceptions of care quality, provider behavior, access to services, and cultural appropriateness. Community satisfaction is essential for service uptake, trust-building, and long-term program sustainability.

  • Monitoring tools will include service delivery logs, health worker supervision checklists, digital dashboards, and periodic evaluation surveys. A midterm and final evaluation will assess impact and inform course corrections.

Partnerships and Stakeholders

The success of this initiative depends on strong collaboration with:

  • Government Ministries of Health

    • National and regional Ministries of Health will play a central role in providing policy direction, ensuring alignment with national health strategies, and facilitating coordination across actors. They will also be key to institutionalizing training programs, integrating services into the public health system, and ensuring long-term sustainability through domestic funding and regulatory support.

  • UN Agencies (e.g., UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA)

    • These international organizations bring extensive technical expertise, global standards, and essential resources. UNICEF will support child health and immunization services, WHO will offer guidance on public health protocols and emergency response systems, and UNFPA will lead on maternal health and reproductive care. These agencies will also assist in procuring supplies, supporting health information systems, and enhancing capacity at both policy and implementation levels.

  • Local and International NGOs

    • These partners will be critical for delivering services at the grassroots level, especially in hard-to-reach or insecure areas. Local NGOs bring cultural understanding and community trust, while international NGOs provide logistical capacity, funding, and global best practices. Together, they will support mobile health units, outreach programs, community health worker deployment, and emergency obstetric care.

  • Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)

    • CBOs—including women’s groups, youth networks, and grassroots associations—will serve as vital connectors between health providers and the community. They will help identify needs, mobilize beneficiaries, promote behavioral change, and maintain trust during crisis response. Their involvement will ensure that interventions are responsive, inclusive, and rooted in local realities.

  • Academic Institutions

    • Universities and medical training institutes will provide technical training for midwives, nurses, and health workers, and conduct operational research to assess program effectiveness. These institutions can also support curriculum development, host simulation training for emergency care, and engage in knowledge dissemination through publications and conferences.

  • Private Sector Actors

    • The private sector will contribute essential infrastructure and innovation, particularly in the areas of logistics, telemedicine, mobile health technologies, and supply chain management. Partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, tech firms, and logistics providers will enable timely delivery of medicines, the rollout of digital health platforms, and improved cold chain maintenance for vaccines.

Sustainability Plan

  • Integrate Activities into Existing National Health Plans and Systems

    • To ensure long-term impact, all program activities will be aligned with national health strategies and policies. Collaboration with Ministries of Health will be prioritized to incorporate maternal and child health (MCH) services into ongoing government initiatives. This integration will reduce redundancy, maximize resource utilization, and promote government ownership, laying the foundation for continued support after external funding ends.

  • Build the Capacity of Local Providers and Institutions Through Training and Mentoring

    • Sustainability hinges on the strength of local human resources. The project will invest in the capacity-building of frontline healthcare workers, supervisors, and facility managers through comprehensive training, mentorship programs, and on-the-job coaching. By empowering local actors with the knowledge and tools needed to manage services effectively, the program ensures continuity even in post-conflict recovery phases.

  • Transition Supply Chain and Service Delivery Responsibilities to Local Health Authorities

    • A gradual and structured handover plan will be implemented, transferring responsibilities for procurement, inventory management, and service coordination to district health offices and facility administrators. This transition will be supported by tools, training, and technical assistance to ensure that national and subnational health authorities can sustain high-quality MCH service delivery independently.

  • Institutionalize Data Tools and Referral Systems for Continued Use

    • The digital platforms, health information systems, and referral mechanisms developed during the project will be integrated into existing national systems. Health workers and administrators will be trained to use these tools effectively, ensuring accurate data collection, analysis, and service coordination. Institutionalizing these systems will support informed decision-making and timely responses to maternal and child health needs.

  • Strengthen Community Health Governance Through Local Ownership and Feedback Mechanisms

    • Community participation will be embedded in project governance through health committees, women’s groups, and local advisory bodies. These groups will be engaged in planning, oversight, and feedback processes to ensure responsiveness and transparency. Building local ownership fosters trust, accountability, and sustained demand for services, creating a supportive environment for long-term health improvements.

Budget Overview

  • Facility Rehabilitation and Mobile Outreach: XXXXX USD

    • This component includes the renovation and equipping of damaged or under-resourced maternal and child health (MCH) facilities in conflict-affected areas. It also covers the procurement and operation of mobile health units that will reach remote or displaced populations with lifesaving MCH services.

  • Training and Workforce Development: XXXXX USD

    • Funding in this category will support the design and delivery of training programs for midwives, nurses, doctors, and community health workers (CHWs). Topics include emergency obstetric care, neonatal resuscitation, breastfeeding support, and respectful maternity care. Training-of-trainers models will be used to ensure sustainability.

  • Equipment, Medical Supplies, and Kits: XXXXX USD

    • This includes the purchase and distribution of essential medical equipment, delivery kits, newborn care supplies, diagnostic tools, hygiene materials, and infection prevention items to ensure safe and effective care at all service points.

  • Nutrition Support and Immunization: XXXXX USD

    • Funds will be allocated for the provision of therapeutic foods, micronutrient supplements, and nutrition screening supplies for children and pregnant women. It also includes vaccine procurement and cold chain management to deliver immunization campaigns for children under five.

  • Community Outreach and Education: XXXXX USD

    • This component supports the development and dissemination of culturally appropriate educational materials and the organization of community health campaigns. Activities include group discussions, radio messages, home visits, and school-based sessions to improve awareness of maternal and child health practices and rights.

  • Monitoring, Evaluation, and Digital Tools: XXXXX USD

    • This budget line will fund the implementation of a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework, including baseline surveys, routine data collection, and final impact assessments. It also includes the development and deployment of digital platforms for data tracking, referral coordination, and health education.

  • Administrative and Coordination Costs: XXXXX USD

    • This includes project management, staff salaries, operational expenses, transportation, and communication costs. It also covers coordination meetings with government agencies, NGOs, and international partners to ensure alignment and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

  • Total Estimated Budget: XXXXX USD

Resources Required

  • Human Resources

    • Skilled Health Professionals:

      • Doctors, nurses, midwives, pediatricians, and community health workers (CHWs) trained in maternal and child health (MCH), emergency obstetric care, and neonatal care.

    • Trainers and Mentors:

      • Experts to lead capacity-building sessions and provide ongoing supervision and mentorship.

    • Support Staff:

      • Program managers, logisticians, monitoring and evaluation officers, and community mobilizers to ensure smooth implementation and coordination.

  • Medical Supplies and Equipment

    • Maternal and Neonatal Kits:

      • Delivery kits, clean birth supplies, neonatal resuscitation kits, and postnatal care items.

    • Vaccines and Nutrition Products:

      • Routine immunizations, vitamin A supplements, iron-folic acid, ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF), and micronutrient powders.

    • Diagnostic and Monitoring Tools:

      • Thermometers, blood pressure monitors, hemoglobin meters, glucometers, weighing scales, and growth monitoring charts.

    • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

      • Masks, gloves, gowns, and hand sanitizers to ensure infection prevention and control.

  • Infrastructure and Facilities

    • Health Facility Rehabilitation:

      • Resources to repair or rebuild partially damaged maternal and child health facilities in conflict zones.

    • Mobile Health Units:

      • Fully equipped mobile clinics to provide services in hard-to-reach and insecure areas.

    • Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Facilities:

      • Clean water supply, handwashing stations, and proper sanitation in health centers.

  • Community Outreach and Education Materials

    • Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Materials:

      • Posters, leaflets, radio spots, and community theater to raise awareness on antenatal care, breastfeeding, hygiene, and immunization.

    • Digital Tools:

      • Tablets and mobile phones for CHWs to register patients, record data, and deliver telehealth education.

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Support

    • Transportation:

      • Vehicles and fuel for outreach teams, supply delivery, patient referrals, and supervision visits.

    • Warehousing and Cold Chain:

      • Facilities for storing and maintaining vaccines, medicines, and perishable items.

  • Technical and Financial Support

    • Technical Assistance:

      • From UN agencies and NGOs for planning, implementation, and quality assurance.

    • Funding:

      • To support staff salaries, procure equipment and medicines, rehabilitate infrastructure, and sustain operations.

  • Monitoring and Evaluation Systems

    • Data Collection Tools:

      • Registers, reporting formats, mobile applications, and health information systems for tracking performance.

    • Evaluation Support:

      • Resources for conducting baseline surveys, periodic reviews, and final impact assessments.

  • Coordination and Policy Engagement

    • Multi-stakeholder Platforms:

      • Resources for regular coordination meetings with ministries, humanitarian actors, and local organizations.

    • Policy Advocacy Materials:

      • Briefs and reports to influence maternal and child health policy improvements and resource mobilization.

Conclusion

The need to safeguard the lives of women and children in conflict-affected regions of the Middle East is both a moral imperative and a practical necessity. Prolonged instability, displacement, and the collapse of health infrastructure have left millions of women and children without access to even the most basic medical care. This initiative seeks to bridge that gap by prioritizing maternal and child health (MCH) as a cornerstone of humanitarian response and long-term recovery. By strengthening health systems, deploying trained health personnel, and improving access to lifesaving services, the program aims to reverse preventable deaths and improve health outcomes in some of the most challenging environments.

Beyond immediate relief, the proposal offers a blueprint for sustainable development through local ownership, institutional capacity building, and cross-sectoral collaboration. Engaging governments, communities, and international actors ensures that interventions are not only effective but also lasting. By empowering health workers, equipping facilities, and educating communities, we lay the foundation for resilient health systems that can continue to serve families long after the crisis subsides. Ultimately, this initiative is about restoring hope, dignity, and health to those who have endured unimaginable hardship—and affirming their right to survive and thrive.