UNICEF staff assesses the needs of children and families in Lai Nyin Tha village, Mrauk U township, one of the worst-hit areas in Rakhine State. ©UNICEF Myanamr/2015/Than Tin |
Myanmar has been suffering damaging floods following weeks of heavy rains, with rains and winds from cyclone Komen that made landfall in Bangladesh on 30 July. As of beginning of August, the floods killed more than 50 people and have affected around 259,000 across the country, of which over 88,000 are children.
Among the worst affected regions are two of the poorest states: Chin and Rakhine. The most urgent needs are for food, shelter, water, sanitation, and access to emergency health care.
In Rakhine, children and families living in camps are among the affected population. Floods and landslides have destroyed the roads blocking the access for assessment teams and aid supplies.
Chin in particular is affected as it normally relies on food supplies from other parts of the country. UNICEF has dispatched water purification tablets and hygiene kits to the worst affected areas and is providing boats and trucks to deliver medical supplies, water, rice, salt and oral rehydration salts.
The Government of Myanmar is leading the response, and UNICEF is working with Myanmar authorities to assess the urgent needs and provide support
A young family from Lai Nyin Tha village standing next to their house which was destroyed by the storm. |
Scenes of severe flooding in Chin, one of the most affect areas ©UNICEF Myanmar/2015/Mohammad Badrul Hassan |
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