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supporting mothers and newborns in crisis settings worldwide

WHY WE EXIST

Outbrave Relief is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening maternal and newborn health in crisis settings. What began as an emergency response during war has evolved into a broader effort to develop practical, scalable approaches to perinatal care under conditions of instability. 
 
We deliver trauma-informed perinatal care and develop practical, field-tested approaches that help families recover, even when health systems are under pressure or breaking down. From emergency response to long-term resilience, we strengthen the earliest stage of life. 
 
The first weeks after birth are a critical window for maternal recovery, newborn wellbeing, and long-term outcomes. In crisis settings – including war, displacement, and ongoing instability – this period is often unsupported. Outbrave Relief exists to change that. 

Baby Atiyah was born in the aftermath of the Iran-Israel 12-Day War and received newborn support from Outbrave Relief.

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What we do

Direct Care
We provide trauma-informed prenatal and postpartum support through licensed professionals, adapted to high-stress and unstable environments.
 
Maternal & Newborn Support
We deliver essential supplies, practical guidance, and safe newborn solutions for families living in crisis conditions.
 
Capacity Strengthening
We support maternal healthcare providers with practical tools and approaches to deliver safe, context-responsive care.
 
Our Mission 
To support war-affected mothers in healing from trauma and to strengthen the resilience of future generations. 
 

Where we work: From local response to global application

Outbrave Relief operates in crisis related settings, with current programs in Israel and Gaza. 

These programs function as both service delivery and learning environments. Insights from these settings inform how perinatal care can be delivered in other crisis-affected regions globally. 

  • Israel: Postpartum home visits and provider support for families living under ongoing threat
  • Gaza: Maternal and newborn aid, including hygiene kits, blankets, and emergency baby beds designed for displacement settings.
 

These programs serve as real-world implementation environments, informing how care can be delivered in different crisis settings globally. 

ABOUT US

Outbrave Relief was founded by a group of women who share one conviction: every mother deserves care and protection, particularly in the vulnerable weeks after giving birth when she must recover while sustaining her baby’s life. This need is most urgent during war and its aftermath.

At our heart, Outbrave Relief is an act of determination: a choice to define our own values amid conflict and polarized global discourse. We choose compassion, dignity, and the belief that even in a fractured world, we must strive to live up to our highest ideals.

Mirjam van de Giessen

President & Executive Director

Urte Leopold

Deputy Director

Catie Newell

Vice-President & Treasurer on the Board

Dr. Mushira Aboodia

Board Director

Fanny Golan

Board Secretary

Impact (snapshot)

Despite launching recently and in the midst of war, Outbrave Relief became fully operational within six months of incorporation, rapidly transforming its mission into action on the ground.
  • 20+ Midwives trained in trauma-informed care, developed in collaboration with local trauma experts.
  • 200+ Israeli mothers and babies received trauma-informed postpartum home visits in war-affected communities.
  • 300+ Palestinian mothers and babies in Gaza received postpartum and newborn hygiene kits, including educational materials and warm baby blankets.List Item
  • In progress: 
    • Expansion of postpartum care services across Israel
    • Deployment of emergency essentials for displaced families
    • Ongoing development of field-informed care approaches to support healthcare professionals in crisis environments
Outbrave Relief facilitated trauma-sensitive care trainings for licensed Israeli midwives by local trauma experts.
Israeli midwives provide trauma-informed postpartum support to war-affected mothers and newborns.
Israeli midwives provide trauma-informed postpartum support to war-affected mothers and newborns.
Deputy Director Urte Leopold packs hygiene kits in Outbrave Relief’s Herzliyah warehouse.
Distribution of Outbrave Relief maternal and newborn hygiene kits and blankets in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza.
Distribution of Outbrave Relief maternal and newborn hygiene kits and blankets in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza.
She came to my home and gave me practical guidance for caring for my baby, support with breastfeeding, and so much encouragement. Thanks to her, we got through the jaundice, the low birth weight, and avoided several trips to the doctor.
Mother supported through our postpartum program
It’s touching and truly heart-warming to know that someone is thinking of us.
Postpartum mother, anonymous for safety
An amazing project. Our midwife saved me so much stress and many unnecessary doctor visits.
Participant, postpartum home-visit programsupported through our postpartum program

Israel - Implementation & Care Delivery

In Israel, we provide trauma-informed postpartum support to families living under ongoing threat.

Our work includes:

• Home-based postpartum visits
• Support for maternal mental health and recovery
• Practical newborn care guidance
• Maternal healthcare provider trainings

This setting also serves as a key environment for real-time learning and refinement of care approaches.

We provide essential supplies to mothers and babies in need

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Gaza - Humanitarian Maternal & Newborn Support

In Gaza, we focus on delivering essential maternal and newborn support in a highly constrained environment. 

Our work includes: 

  • Distribution of hygiene kits and newborn supplies
  • Delivery of warm blankets and educational materials
  • Deployment of foldable emergency baby beds for safe infant sleep
Outbrave Relief, inc. is a U.S.-registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 33-3116383.
Outbrave Israel for Maternal and Newborn Health is a registered nonprofit association (Amuta) in Israel. Registration number: 580816913.
 
The organizations operate as independent legal entities and collaborate on shared humanitarian iniatitives. All activities are implemented in accordance with applicable legal, regulatory, and humanitarian compliance frameworks. 

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