Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Two catastrophic earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck central-northern Venezuela, resulting in nearly 5,000 deaths, over 16,000 injuries, thousands missing, and about 18,000 people left homeless. Temporary shelters have been established for the displaced, including one at the José María Vargas sports complex, which hosts more than 1,000 people.
Among those sheltered is Dayra Morales, 20, who was trapped under rubble for about two hours after a building collapsed. Despite her injuries, Morales was found, rescued, and treated. Her partner, Roberto Rodríguez, said she was pinned from the feet down but survived, and medical examinations at the shelter revealed Morales is pregnant. Rodríguez called the survival of both mother and baby a "true miracle." Both are now receiving prenatal care at a UNFPA-supported clinic in the shelter.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is providing sexual and reproductive health services in shelters across Caracas, La Guaira, and Miranda. These services include prenatal consultations, contraceptive distribution, testing for sexually transmitted infections, and hospital referrals for obstetric emergencies, in coordination with national authorities.
Volunteer Yoseys Escalona, also sheltering with her husband and son at the José María Vargas complex, described how multiple families, ranging from 12 to 25 per tent, are supporting one another in the crisis.