The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has urged greater attention to women’s vulnerability following the passage of Hurricane Matthew, which devastated not only people’s livelihoods but health facilities and other vital infrastructure.

"Our urgent task is to protect the health and rights of women and girls, and to ensure that their basic needs, which are often overlooked in humanitarian situations, are quickly met," declared UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin.

Of the 2.1 million people affected, about 546,000 are women of reproductive age, with an estimated 13,650 women expected to give birth in the next three months. UNFPA also estimates that 10,920 women and adolescent girls are at risk of sexual violence.

A recent joint evaluation, with the Haitian ministries of public health and women’s affairs, of health infrastructure in the two worst affected departments of Grand’Anse and Nippes, found that 23 of 26 facilities were affected. Of 11 facilities in Grand’Anse alone, two were completely destroyed, two were closed, none have power or water, and all require health workers.

HL/ HaitiLibre