What Instability in the Middle East Means for Babies and Toddlers | Saving Moses Podcast Ep. 20

Description

Iran. Afghanistan. Pakistan. Three neighboring countries. Nearly 400 million people. And a level of instability that is escalating fast with missiles, military strikes, refugee crises, and a disputed border with nuclear stakes. When a region this large becomes this unstable, babies and toddlers bear the heaviest burden. In this episode, Sarah walks through the education gaps, literacy divides, and mortality rates that reveal just how fragile life is in this region — and why the current conflict is making it so much worse. Afghanistan's maternal mortality rate sits at ~620 deaths per 100,000 births. Pakistan's neonatal mortality ranks among the highest in the world. And with hospitals being bombed and supply chains collapsing, the numbers are only getting harder to track — and harder to ignore. Saving Moses works in this region through BirthAid, providing skilled birth attendants and training in some of the most underserved and volatile areas. This episode is a reminder of why that work matters, and why instability is never just a political story. In this episode: - Population and education snapshots of Iran, Afghanistan & Pakistan - Literacy rates and the gender gap in each country - Neonatal and maternal mortality rates — and how instability is affecting them - The Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict and what's at stake - How Saving Moses's BirthAid program operates in the region 🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss future episodes. 📲 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that hope is possible anywhere. 🌍 Learn more or get involved: https://www.savingmoses.org/donate-to-saving-moses/ ✨ Connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/savingmoses 🆇 Follow on X: https://x.com/savingmoses 📸 Engage on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savingmoses