UNICEF News
Myanmar Cyclone a Children's Catastrophe - UNICEF
With the death toll climbing well past 50,000, there is concern that disease could spread quickly, aided by warm weather and standing polluted water. In all, roughly 8-million children are in immediate danger.
"There is no time to waste when it comes to saving children's lives," said
Noting that with one in three children malnourished in
UNICEF today outlined in a new document to the donor community the harsh impact the cyclone had on the children of
"In any disaster, it is children who suffer most. Children have died; many are separated from their families, injured and traumatized. Vulnerable to hunger, disease and trauma, children and women in the affected areas require urgent life-saving assistance to survive," UNICEF says in the donor appeal.
UNICEF began responding within hours of the disaster, drawing on pre- positioned emergency medical supplies. Along with its partners, including sister UN agencies and international and national non-governmental organizations, UNICEF is working to respond swiftly and effectively to the crisis.
In the wake of a disaster that has left at least 1 million people homeless and some 24-million affected, UNICEF is gearing up for a massive relief and supply effort. Prepositioned supplies have already been distributed to address lack of access to clean water and poor sanitation, inadequate shelter and poor nutrition. The new appeal will pave the way for more supplies to reach the battered country once the supply pipeline opens up.
"We have the know-how and the logistical means. People support UNICEF because of our track record in the field," said Stern. "They know we will be there for children before, during and well after the emergency."
UNICEF has been present in
To donate to the Cyclone Nargis disaster, please go to: www.unicefusa.org/myanmar or call 1-800 4UNICEF.
About UNICEF
For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world's leading international children's organization, working in over 150 countries to address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF, with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicefusa.org.
SOURCE UNICEF
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