10 March 2022

The following can be attributed to the College of Midwives Chief Executive, Alison Eddy:

The New Zealand College of Midwives is alarmed and deeply saddened by the Russian strike of a maternity and children’s hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine during a ceasefire. The College condemns all mindless and cowardly attacks that are causing unnecessary suffering to innocent civilians including women in labour, new mothers, babies, families, midwives and hospital staff.

I cannot begin to imagine the horror those women in labour and their families experienced at such a vulnerable time in their lives. Our hearts go out to them and all of the Ukrainian people. We stand alongside so many organisations in our condemnation of this unnecessary and abhorrent violence.

Please contact Amellia Kapa (New Zealand College of Midwives) on 022 050 3989 for more information.