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Paula Narvaez, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, briefed journalists in New York on her recent visit to the country.
Speaking from Chile, he said the earthquake left more than 5,000 people dead and more than 23,000 displaced, “but statistics alone cannot describe the death toll and the true scale of this tragedy.”
Women on the front lines
Narvaez visited some of the worst-affected areas, including La Guaira, where he met families who had lost everything but were still determined to rebuild their lives.
“I witnessed something that repeats itself in every emergency: women organizing safe places for their families, and caring for others, and workers on the front lines working tirelessly even though they are also affected personally,” she said.
However, amidst this resilience, demand remains high. Damage to health facilities, shortages of medicines and equipment, staff shortages, and disruption to basic services hamper health services, particularly the provision of reproductive health services and emergency obstetric care.
Inequality is now clearly visible
“This earthquake exposed and increased pre-existing disparities in access to health and safety services,” he said.
“We know that women don’t stop giving birth in emergencies, but vulnerable women and girls are unlikely to get the life-saving services they need.”
Since the crisis began, UNFPA has improved life-saving reproductive health services and strengthened prevention and response to gender-based violence.
The agency and its partners have reached thousands of people. They have distributed reproductive health equipment and provided health equipment and supplies to 16 health facilities.
Solidarity and support
UNFPA is also working with other UN agencies to make temporary shelters safer for women and girls
With its work “far from complete,” UNFPA is seeking $10 million to expand its efforts and reach 121,000 people, but has to date only received 40 percent of that amount.
“The Venezuelan people have demonstrated extraordinary strength and resilience,” said Narvaez. “Their courage must now be matched by continued international solidarity and support.”
