02/28/2022
Baby Mia was born four days ago in Kyiv, Ukraine. For her mother, Svitlana, what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, was instead filled with fear.
On Thursday night, Svitlana woke up to painful contractions and the terrifying sounds of sirens outside her window. With her husband, she braved shelling to drive to the nearest maternity ward.
“During the birth I heard explosions outside the window," she says. "I held my husband's hand so as not to be so scared."
After Mia was born, Svitlana only had a few minutes to get dressed, pack up and go down to the basement for safety. "The priority was to save the baby’s life."
Svitlana says she's currently spending her nights in a car in the parking lot under her house.
As families contend with the stress of conflict and COVID-19, Afsana Group and UNICEF is working to deliver life-saving supplies. More than anything, children and mothers like Mia and Svitlana need peace.
Photo: Svitlana