Add us as your preferred source on Google to see more of our content in Search.
Add to Preferred SourcesThe pandemic has complicated the humanitarian situation in Venezuela and surrounding countries like Brazil.
Venezuela’s economic crisis has triggered a mass exodus of migrants and refugees, with significant humanitarian needs both inside and outside of the country.
Within Venezuela, health facilities lack sufficient medical supplies, a situation that has had severe repercussions for women and girls. For instance, there is an estimated 80 percent shortage in contraceptive supplies, and a critical shortage of safe blood supplies, which are needed to manage labour complications like postpartum haemorrhage.
The consequences have been dire: The number of maternal deaths in Venezuela increased by nearly 66 percent between 2015 and 2016. The country also has high rates of adolescent pregnancy and low coverage of HIV testing for pregnant women, as well as low treatment rates for HIV-positive pregnant women.
The pandemic threatens to further reduce health system capacity.
To shore up health services, UNFPA worked with the Pan American Health Organization and UNICEF to deliver 90 tonnes of health, water, hygiene and sanitation, and education supplies to the country last month.
The shipment, which was partially funded by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, included 28,000 personal protective equipment kits for health workers on the front line, as well as oxygen concentrators, pediatric beds, water quality control products and hygiene kits.
“Inputs arriving in the country will contribute to maintaining access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health services in the complex situation and dynamics generated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Amalia García Estrada, UNFPA’s national coordinator of sexual and reproductive health in Venezuela.
The pandemic also threatens migrants from Venezuela who have sought opportunities in nearby countries.
Original source: UNFPA
Published on 15 May 2020