With Haiti having the highest rate of maternal death in the region, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is prioritizing assistance to pregnant women in areas affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti, said a UNFPA press release issued Thursday.

"During periods following a major natural disaster, women often lose access to basic health services," said the UNFPA press release.

According to the UNFPA estimates, one quarter of the impacted population are women of childbearing age, in addition to thousands of pregnant women included in that figure.

With 670 deaths per 100,000 live births, Haiti has the highest rate of maternal death in the region, the release read.

As part of the immediate humanitarian response, UNFPA is delivering emergency reproductive health kits which contain crucial drugs, equipment, and other lifesaving supplies for pregnant women. UNFPA is working to ensure that women and girls have access to basic hygiene supplies as part of their disaster relief assistance.

"UNFPA extends solidarity, compassion and sympathy to the people of Haiti who are suffering from the devastating consequences of the earthquake," said the executive director of UNFPA Thoraya Ahmed Obaid in the press release.

The UNFPA is working in a coordinated UN response to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to those affected by the earthquake.

(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2010)