Climate crisis threatens the lives of 41 million people in Latin America

The climate crisis threatens the livelihoods and health care of 41 million people in low-lying coastal areas in Latin America and the Caribbeanaccording to a new study by the Population Fund of the United Nations (UNFPA, in English) published this Tuesday.

The report, which used satellite images, geospatial data and population estimates, establishes that these low-lying coastal communities in the region are more exposed to risks such as drought, desertification, hurricanes or storms.

“Extreme weather events often result in widespread flooding that destroys homes, businesses, and essential services, as well as health care,” adds the document.

The data was presented at the fourth Conference of Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), taking place in Antigua and Barbuda until Thursday, where UNFPA is mainly asking participating countries for greater investments to reduce inequalities of their population and better water resources management.

Women and girls, the most affected

According to this UN agency specialized in demographic policy, the population most affected by these conditions are women and girls who, “fruit of inequalities”they suffer “disproportionately” the lack of access to safe births or protection against gender violence.

“Millions of vulnerable women and girls, who are least responsible for the climate crisis, pay a high price when climate-related disasters strike and basic health and protection services, as well as livelihoods, are disrupted.””stated UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem in the study.

The analysis also shows that 1,448 hospitals vital for maternal health and family planning are located in low-lying coastal areas more prone to natural hazards.

In territories such as Aruba, Cayman Islands, Suriname, Bahamas and Guyana, more than 80% of the hospitals are located in these low coastal areas, while in the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean, the countries with the highest number of medical centers in these latitudes are Ecuador (11.9%), Haiti (10%) and Brazil (7.2%), according to UNFPA.

SIDS4, which pays special attention to the “existential threat” of the climate crisis, is celebrated before the Atlantic hurricane season begins and could have an impact “brutal” in the region this year, according to the organization.

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