Outbrave Relief provides postpartum support to war-affected Israeli and Palestinian families.
We empower mothers across divides and work toward a promising start for the next generation.
Why Postpartum Care Matters
The postpartum period is one of the most vulnerable times in a woman’s life – a moment of profound transformation, physical healing, and emotional intensity. Yet it remains one of the most neglected phases in maternal healthcare.
Even in high-income, well-resourced societies, more than 1 in 10 women experience childbirth as traumatic. Over half of all mothers or newborns face medical complications after birth that require professional care. These challenges not only endanger maternal health, but can have lasting consequences for a child’s cognitive, emotional, and physical development.
In war-affected areas, the need for care becomes even more urgent. Exposure to trauma, disrupted support systems, and prolonged instability leave deep imprints on families. In these settings, the absence of postpartum care isn’t just a service gap – it’s a direct threat to the health, resilience, and future of entire communities.
The science is clear: when mothers thrive, babies thrive. Caring for mothers in the critical weeks after birth doesn’t just save lives – it safeguards the well-being of the next generation.
About our Team
Outbrave Relief’s founding team is made up of dedicated professionals based in Israel and the United States – united in their commitment to advancing women’s health and transforming the landscape of postpartum care.
With diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, the team brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced by mothers in Palestine and Israel, and works together across lines of identity to foster opportunity for all.
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
We provide essential supplies to mothers and babies in need
Emergency help in Gaza
In Gaza, the humanitarian crisis has reached unimaginable levels, with women and newborns facing the harshest conditions.
Amid a deadly war, endless trauma, blockades, displacement, and the collapse of essential health services, women are giving birth in crowded shelters, under-resourced hospitals, or with no medical or family support at all. Basic postpartum supplies have become urgent lifelines.
With over 4,000 births each month and devastating hygienic conditions, Outbrave Relief is stepping in. In partnership with local healthcare providers, we are delivering postpartum kits to the maternity wards of field hospitals in central Gaza – offering new mothers and babies not only essential care, but a rare moment of dignity, comfort, and human connection in a deeply vulnerable and overwhelming time.
Recovery in Israel
In Israel’s south and northern border villages, fear and uncertainty have shaped daily life since October 2023. Tens of thousands of families have been displaced, while many others remain just beyond the evacuation zones – living under constant threat of missile and drone attacks. For new mothers, this means giving birth and recovering far from home, in temporary housing, or amid ongoing danger and emotional strain.
Backed by research and with guidance from local health experts, we are providing trauma-informed, home-based postpartum care to Israeli mothers of all backgrounds (Druze, Arab/Palestinian, and Jewish) in uprooted communities along the Gaza envelope and Lebanon border – offering professional support, safety, and a sense of personal connection as they begin to heal.
Bank Details for Donations
To contribute directly to Outbrave Relief, Inc., you can use the following domestic (USA) or international wire transfer details:
Domestic Transfer (ACH/Wire):
- Beneficiary Name: Outbrave Relief, Inc.
- Account Number: 202565254059
- Account Type: Checking
- Beneficiary Address: 418 Broadway, STE R, Albany, NY 12207
- Receiving Bank: Choice Financial Group
- ABA Routing Number: 091311229
- Bank Address: 4501 23rd Avenue S, Fargo, ND 58104
International Wire Transfer:
- SWIFT/BIC Code: CHFGUS44021
- Receiving Bank: Choice Financial Group
- Bank Address: 4501 23rd Avenue S, Fargo, ND 58104, USA
- IBAN/Account Number: 202565254059
- Beneficiary Name: Outbrave Relief, Inc.
- Beneficiary Address: 418 Broadway, STE R, Albany, NY 12207, USA
Once your donation has been made, please notify us at info@outbraverelief.org so that we can issue a receipt for your contribution.
Outbrave Relief is a registered charity in the State of New York. EIN: 33-3116383.
We are currently in the process of obtaining our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS.
According to IRS Publication 557, our exemption – once approved – will be retroactive to our date of incorporation: December 30, 2024. This means donations may be tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
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