Retired Fijian midwife Karalaini Macanawai with the mother of the newborn in Labasa. Picture: SUPPLIED Every pregnant woman deserves a safe delivery even if she is living through a humanitarian crisis. Midwives can provide this care, saving lives in the process. Midwives have also been critical to the health response, particularly the sexual and reproductive health and rights-related response supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and its partners. Significant investments in midwifery are essential if the world is to achieve our global target to zero preventable maternal mortality and newborn deaths. Midwives are, therefore, essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).