Falmata Hassan, a 23-year-old mother of three, was eight months pregnant when devastating floods struck her village in Borno State, Nigeria. Before the disaster, her life had been relatively peaceful. Her children attended school, and her family lived comfortably. However, in a single night, everything changed.
Falmata recalls hearing the chaotic shouts of, “Flood! Flood! Everyone, get out!” as water rapidly began to rise. In a panic, she rushed to find her children, only to realize that the floodwaters had already reached dangerous levels. “I became confused and started shouting, ‘Help! Help! My children are drowning!’” she says, her voice still trembling with the fear of that night. Miraculously, a group of men from the community rushed to rescue her children, bringing them to safety. Yet, the nightmare was far from over.
That night, Falmata and her children, along with many other displaced families, were forced to sleep on the streets. The following morning, a government vehicle arrived to take them to Bakasi Camp, where they were provided with shelter. Despite losing all their possessions in the flood, Falmata remained grateful for her family’s survival.
In the days that followed, Falmata and her children fell ill, unsure of where to turn for medical care. It was then that she encountered UNFPA frontline workers, who were on the ground delivering the critical support. These workers, offering Psychological First Aid (PFA) to people in distress, immediately took Fatima, her children, and other pregnant women to UNFPA’s facility in the camp for care.
“UNFPA health workers referred my children to another organization for medical support, and they registered me for antenatal care,” Falmata explains. But the support didn’t end there. Health workers encouraged her to continue attending antenatal checkups and to seek psychosocial services as needed.
Falmata also benefited from one-on-one counseling offered by UNFPA’s Psychosocial support counselor. This individualized support helped her process the trauma of the flood and regain her emotional strength. “The counseling helped me bounce back,” Fatima says. In addition to individual therapy, she participated in group counseling with other women who had faced similar hardships. “We found strength in each other’s stories,” she reflects. “It helped me feel less alone.”
As Falmata’s due date approached, she contacted the UNFPA team, who promptly sent an ambulance to pick her up from home. She was transported to the facility, where she received exceptional care. Thanks to the support she received, Fatima gave birth to a healthy baby without complications. “My delivery was smooth and tear-free, thanks to their constant presence and care,” she reflects.
Prior to giving birth, UNFPA provided Fatima with a dignity kit, and a clean delivery kit containing all the essential items to ensure that her childbirth experience was more manageable and sanitary. These items were utilized by UNFPA’s midwives during her delivery to provide optimal support. UNFPA further facilitated her access to additional resources and non-food item (NFI) support by referring her to partner organizations.
“I am incredibly thankful to UNFPA for everything they provided—the dignity kit, the mat, the bucket, the medical care, and the psychosocial support,” Fatima says, her gratitude clear. “I encourage all pregnant women to visit UNFPA facilities for antenatal care, delivery, and other essential services.”
Falmata’s journey is a testament to resilience, the strength of community support, and the profound impact of timely humanitarian assistance. Thanks to UNFPA’s unwavering support, she and her children not only received the care they needed but were also empowered to rebuild their lives after the devastation of the flood.
"UNFPA gave me hope when I thought all was lost. They cared for me like family and made sure my baby and I were safe. I am stronger now and ready to rebuild my life for my children."
