disaster
Venezuela Earthquakes: Pregnant Women and New Mothers Face Growing Health Risks as about 130 Babies Born Every Day
Summary by Christgiving Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Save the Children , ReliefWeb
· July 23, 2026
· 5 min read
. The UN estimates there are 36,700 pregnant women who have been affected by the earthquakes, 4,000 of whom are expected to give birth in the next month, equivalent to about 130 babies born every day.[1] The twin earthquakes, of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, struck on 24 June, destroying and damaging dozen
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Summary created by Christgiving Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Save the Children, ReliefWeb Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Women have told Save the Children staff that some obstetricians and paediatricians were among the over 5,000 people killed in the disaster, leaving families uncertain where to seek care for themselves and their children.
Why this matters
The devastating earthquakes in Venezuela have created a perfect storm of health risks for pregnant women and new mothers, with approximately 130 babies being born every day in affected areas. The destruction of health facilities and loss of medical personnel have severely disrupted essential maternal and child healthcare services, leaving many without access to proper care. This is particularly concerning given the high levels of stress and anxiety that pregnant women are experiencing, which can have long-term effects on their babies' brain development and immune system. The limited access to nutritious food, clean water, and sanitation in temporary shelters further exacerbates the risk of malnutrition and preterm birth. As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial for humanitarian organizations to prioritize the provision of maternal and child healthcare services, including antenatal care and nutrition support, to mitigate the long-term consequences of this disaster on the health and well-being of vulnerable populations.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: disaster ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 5 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . The UN estimates there are 36,700 pregnant women who have been affected by the earthquakes, 4,000 of whom are expected to give birth in the next month, equivalent to about 130 babies born every day.[1] The twin earthquakes, of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, struck on 24 June, destroying and damaging dozen
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Save the Children at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .