Regional Highlights

• The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Latin America and the Caribbean at a time of  low growth, marked inequality and vulnerability, growing poverty, weakening of social cohesion and increasing expressions of social discontent. 
• Cases of COVID-19 continue to increase in the region and are currently at or near the highest levels observed since the start of the pandemic. 
• Most countries in the region have weak and fragmented health systems, which do not guarantee the universal access to health care needed to address the COVID-19 crisis. 
• The impact is high on the frontline health workers, who often lack sufficient PPE. 
• The crisis is also having a considerable impact on women’s access to health care and, in particular, to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Lockdown measures enforced in countries have also led to a sharp increase in gender-based violence (GBV). 
• Contraceptives are expected to suffer shortages or stockouts by the end of this year. 
• The pandemic is also showing increased incidence among vulnerable populations, particularly indigenous people, afro-descendants, prisoners, migrants, and LGBTI people. 
• Urgent funding is needed to meet these rising needs.