The climate crisis has affected thousands of people in Piura, Peru, and Samy Cruz is one of them. She lives in the La Molina II settlement, in the district of Veintiséis de Octubre in Piura, and her daily life is constantly impacted by extreme weather conditions.
As a pregnant mother with a school-aged daughter, Samy faces daily challenges to access healthcare services. "To be able to go to the Health Center during the heaviest rainy days, my husband and I have had to find various ways. He has a mototaxi, and we had to search for different routes. There were areas filled with water and potholes where we took risks. The mototaxi seemed like a boat in the water, but I had to attend my check-ups," Samy recounts.
Despite the obstacles, Samy has been able to access life-saving free health and protection services organized by UNFPA in her community. "With the guidance provided by the brigade members, I have become better informed about contraceptive methods and the sexual violence kit, which I was not aware of before. This will help me share the information if I ever come across a situation that warrants it. Now I know that any woman can request it at the Health Center or call the 100 hotline if they cannot assist her and she needs immediate medical assistance," she explains.
Samy's story is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of those facing the climate crisis worldwide. Her daily struggle to access basic reproductive health and protection services is a reminder of the importance of taking action to combat climate change and protect populations in vulnerable situations, such as pregnant women.
