UN Warns of Pregnant Women's Plight in Venezuela Post-Earthquake

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has issued a stark warning regarding the critical situation faced by pregnant women in Venezuela following recent major earthquakes. An estimated 36,700 women affected by the tremors are pregnant, and a significant number, at least 4,000, are expected to give birth within the next month amidst the country's ongoing humanitarian emergency.

The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck Venezuela on June 24, placing immense strain on the nation's already fragile health system. The disaster resulted in damage to 38 health centers, severely compromising access to essential maternal and newborn healthcare services. The UNFPA emphasized that maintaining emergency obstetric and neonatal care is an urgent humanitarian priority.

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Maintaining emergency obstetric and neonatal care constitutes an urgent humanitarian priority.

In response, the UNFPA is intensifying its efforts to ensure the continuity of vital services. This includes maternal health, emergency obstetric care, family planning, clinical care for survivors of sexual violence, and prevention and response services for gender-based violence. The agency is appealing for $10 million to support these critical interventions during the first three months of the emergency response.

The UNFPA also highlighted that the disruption of essential services, overcrowding in shelters, family separation, and increased psychosocial distress are exacerbating protection risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, adolescents, people with disabilities, and the elderly. The agency noted that Venezuela is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis following the powerful earthquakes, with tens of thousands still missing and the death toll expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue. Official figures indicate at least 3,535 deaths and 16,740 injuries.

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the interruption of services essential, the overcrowding in shelters, the separation of families and the increase of psychosocial discomfort are aggravating protection risks, especially for women, adolescents, people with disabilities and the elderly.