UN Agency Reaches Thousands of New Mothers After Venezuela Quakes

When earthquakes devastated parts of Venezuela last month, one reality didn't change: babies kept coming into the world, and mothers needed care.

UNFPA, the UN's reproductive and sexual health agency, immediately mobilized to make sure those mothers wouldn't face childbirth alone. In just four weeks, the agency and its partners have reached thousands of people with emergency obstetric care and medical supplies.

Paula Narvaez, UNFPA's Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, recently visited La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit areas. She found something remarkable amid the recovery efforts: women organizing safe spaces for their families and caring for others, even while dealing with their own losses.

"We know that women do not stop giving birth during an emergency," Narvaez said from Chile after her visit. The agency's response focused on that simple truth.

UNFPA teams have distributed reproductive health kits and provided medical equipment to 16 health facilities across affected areas. They've worked alongside other UN agencies to make temporary shelters safer specifically for women and girls.

Why This Inspires

Healthcare workers themselves affected by the earthquakes continued showing up for patients. These frontline responders worked tirelessly despite personal losses, ensuring that vulnerable mothers and newborns could access life-saving care when they needed it most.

The response demonstrates how communities pull together when it matters. Venezuelan families showed enormous strength in rebuilding, and international partners matched that determination with swift action.

UNFPA's goal is to reach 121,000 people with expanded services. They've already secured 40 percent of the $10 million needed and continue working with sustained support from the international community.

"Venezuelan communities have demonstrated enormous strength and resilience," Narvaez said. Their courage is being met with solidarity that ensures mothers and babies get the care every family deserves.