UNICEF grants aid to children in flood-hit central region

Books and school supplies were swept away in flood water in the central region (Photo: UNICEF)

Hanoi (VNA) - UNICEF will provide at least 100,000 USD in emergency relief to the central region which has been devastated by floods and landslides triggered by downpours over the past two weeks.

The UN agency said on October 22 that the natural disasters have put more than 1.5 million local children at the risk of diseases, poor nutrition and delayed develoment. At least 135,000 families have been directly impacted by flood water levels as high as 2 meters in certain communes, and over half a million people unable to access protected water sources.

In addition, 42 clinics have been damaged and many others are isolated by flooding, leaving many mothers and children separated from the basic and preventative health care so important in such times of heightened disease risk. Schools in many localities had to temporarily close and nearly 1.2 million students are currently out of school and learning is disrupted.

UNICEF experts are conducting surveys in most seriously affected provinces to assess the needs of children and women. Based on the surveys, UNICEF will raise and allocate further funds and expertise to support the Government and communities to address the many challenges.

“UNICEF has allocated an initial 100,000 USD for emergency relief in water, sanitation, hygiene, health, nutrition, and education, as well as psychosocial support and child protection,“ said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam.  She added that while urgently addressing health risks, it is a must to also get children back to learning./.