Continuing Coverage of Haiti Earthquake Response

UN News Centre reported 18 January that United Nations officials have stressed the need for a strongly coordinated effort to bring vital assistance to the roughly 3 million people affected by the 12 January earthquake in Haiti. With the hospitals that are functioning already overcrowded with victims, many with crushed limbs or fractured bones, UNFPA is warning of the emergency that can occur when pregnant women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions and without access to medical care.  “Giving birth under such conditions can quickly turn deadly if complications such as bleeding, obstructed delivery or high blood pressure occur. Everyday hygiene supplies, including sanitary napkins and soap, are also necessary, but often forgotten in emergencies,” said the agency, which estimates there are 37,000 pregnant women among those affected by the quake who need maternal health services. Read: UN News Centre

LATIN AMERICA: Adital reported 22 January that research published in 2008 by UN-INSTRAW and UNFPA found that, in the case of the Dominican emergency, women were often attacked by men in the shelters. International observers warned against violence widespread in the capital in Haiti’s current emergency. Girls and women are the most vulnerable population. Read in Spanish: Adital

LATIN AMERICA: Multiple media outlets reported 24 January that one of the priorities of UNFPA is to ensure women’s access to professional health services to prevent risks at birth, said UNFPA spokeswoman in Geneva, Anne Wittenberg. "Before the quake, Haiti was the most dangerous place to be a pregnant woman in the Western Hemisphere, with the lifetime risk of dying in childbirth of 1 in 47. Today that situation is getting worse, "she said. She added that in the coming days, UNFPA will deliver enough medical and obstetric equipment for the next three months. Estimates indicate that some 63,000 pregnant women will give birth in the coming week, and UNFPA has said that some 10,000 of those women need medical attention now due to complications from their pregnancies. Both UNICEF and UNFPA warned that they fear outbreaks of sexual violence against women. Read: Latin American Herald Tribune and in Spanish: El Salvador (El Salvador), La Segunda (Chile), UOL Noticias (Brasil), Ultimo Segundo (Brasil) and El Espectador

CANADA: Canadian Press reported 19 January that the federal government is boosting its monetary and manpower contributions to Haitian earthquake relief as donations by ordinary Canadians top $40 million. The Canadian funds will go to other health and shelter needs through various UN organizations on the ground in Haiti, including UNICEF, IOM, UNFPA and WHO. Read: Canadian Press

MEXICO: Ciudadania Express reported 21 January that in order to meet the urgent needs of women relating to maternal health and other needs, UNFPA requests $4.6 million as part of the call for emergency funds coordinated by the United Nations. These resources will add to UNFPA supplies already in Haiti and respond to the specific needs of women, children and other vulnerable groups during the next six months. Read in Spanish: Ciudadanía Express

UNITED STATES: The Washington Times reported 22 January that opponents of abortion rights were attacking a fundraising appeal by the International Planned Parenthood Federation for assistance in rebuilding two clinics operated by PROFAMIL, its Haitian member association. "There are reports of women giving birth on the side of the road as hospitals and houses have been demolished," said Dawn Stacey, a former Planned Parenthood pregnancy-options counselor who now serves as About.com's contraception expert, noting that Planned Parenthood is encouraging donations to Americans for UNFPA, which is also bringing assistance to pregnant women in Haiti.  "The donations (Planned Parenthood is promoting) will help UNFPA provide emergency reproductive health kits," said Ms. Stacey. "These kits could essentially function as OB wards as they contain essential drugs, equipment and supplies to provide lifesaving services to pregnant women." Read: The Washington Times

Idaho Mountain Express reported 22 January on local fundraising efforts, noting that that the nonprofit Americans for UNFPA, is on the ground in Haiti with maternal health relief. An update from the organization stated that with hospitals and health facilities destroyed, pregnant women are at great risk for childbirth complications and death. The Family of Women Film Festival, an annual film festival in Ketchum, raises awareness and money for UNFPA. Read: Idaho Mountain Express

RHRealityCheck.org published a blog 20 January by Amie Newman reporting that UNFPA estimates that there are 37,000 pregnant women among the survivors of the recent earthquake in Haiti, a country which in the best of times has the highest maternal mortality rate in the Western Hemisphere. In the aftermath of the earthquake and the resulting crises, women are giving birth in the streets, and an already dire situation has been made far worse. Read: RHRealityCheck.org

RHRealityCheck.org published a blog 17 January by Lucinda Marshall noting that according to UN-INSTRAW and UNFPA, “Women of reproductive age face limitations in accessing pre-natal and post-natal care, as well as greater risk of vaginal infections, pregnancy complications including spontaneous abortion, unplanned pregnancy, and post-traumatic stress. An increase in violence against women was also recorded. . . In natural disaster situations and in post-disaster recuperation, the cases of violence may increase. “Given the stress that this situation caused and the life in the refuges, men attacked women more frequently.” Read: RHRealityCheck.org

YEMEN: 14October Newspaper reported 20 January 20 that, according to press release issued by UNFPA, Haiti has the highest maternal mortality rates in the region; therefore, UNFPA gives priority to pregnant women in areas affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti. “During the periods following the occurrence of major natural disaster, women are usually deprived of basic health services,” the press release added. Read in Arabic: 14October