{"id":203213,"date":"2024-05-29T11:40:55","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T15:40:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=203213"},"modified":"2024-05-29T11:40:55","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T15:40:55","slug":"climate-emergency-threatens-41-million-people-their-livelihoods-and-health-care-in-low-elevation-coastal-areas-in-latin-america-and-caribbean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/climate-emergency-threatens-41-million-people-their-livelihoods-and-health-care-in-low-elevation-coastal-areas-in-latin-america-and-caribbean\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate emergency threatens 41 million people, their livelihoods and health care in low-elevation coastal areas in Latin America and Caribbean"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tens of millions of people living in low-elevation coastal areas in Latin America and the Caribbean are facing the consequences of extreme weather events that threaten their lives and livelihoods and the hospitals they depend on, according to a new study by UNFPA, the UN Population Fund.\u00a0<\/p>

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Using satellite imagery, geospatial data and population estimates, UNFPA identified coastal communities most exposed to hazards, such as hurricanes and other storms that are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aftermath of extreme weather events often leads to widespread flooding that destroys homes, businesses and disrupts essential services including health care. Women and girls are often disproportionately impacted \u2013 displaced from their communities and safe spaces and unable to access family planning services, safe birthing or protection from gender-based violence.<\/p>

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Data analysis by UNFPA reveals an estimated 41 million people \u2013 or six per cent of people in the Latin America and Caribbean Region \u2013 who live in coastal areas are exposed to life-threatening storms and flooding. <\/p>

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The analysis also shows that 1,448 hospitals vital to maternal health and family planning are located in low-elevation coastal areas more prone to natural hazards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n