On the front lines of the earthquake response in Venezuela
Venezuela is facing a major humanitarian emergency following two consecutive earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck the central-northern region of the country on 24 June 2026, causing widespread destruction and more than 1,200 aftershocks.
“Women, adolescents and girls face a double impact, a double burden,” says Eugenia Sekler, Head of the Venezuela Office of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, which is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency. “Women are still pregnant, women still need a clean and safe delivery. Women still need menstrual hygiene products and unfortunately, in these emergency situations where vulnerability increases, there are more cases of gender-based violence, including sexual violence.”
In coordination with national authorities and partners, UNFPA is supporting women and girls affected by the earthquakes to access vital services. This comprises critical maternal health support and emergency obstetric care, ensuring access to contraceptives and menstrual health items, and gender-based violence prevention and response, including the clinical management of rape.
UNFPA is scaling up its responses. But additional resources remain urgently needed to expand access to services.
Health personnel, social workers and community volunteers continue to provide life-saving services under extremely difficult conditions, often while dealing with the impact of the earthquakes on their own families. Their dedication is inspiring. At the same time, the needs of women, girls and adolescents are growing every day, and sustained support is essential to ensure that no one is left without access to protection, sexual and reproductive healthcare, and hope for recovery.
