In the light of recent floods that affected South Asia, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has released a report highlighting huge loss of children across the region due to the disaster.

16 million children were affected by massive flooding in South Asia, with millions more at risk, informed UNICEF’s latest press release on September 02, 2017. According to the release, all these affected children and their families are in urgent need of life-saving support.

Jean Gough, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, said, “Millions of children have seen their lives swept away by these devastating floods. There is a danger that the worst could still be to come as rains continue and flood waters move south.”

Country-wise Data of Child Victims

Country-wise data in UNICEF’s release shows:

• Around 3 million children (out of the total 8 million victims) in Bangladesh, with an estimated 696,169 houses, 2,292 primary and community schools damaged by floodwaters. Apart from this, more than 13,035 cases of water-borne diseases were also reported
• 680,000 child victims (out of 1.7 million victims) in Nepal, with more than 185,126 homes and 1,958 schools damaged, thus affecting the education of 253,605 children
• Four Indian states in northern India saw 12.33 million children out of the total 31 million victims, with around 805,183 houses (partially or fully) and 15,455 schools damaged, disrupting the education of nearly one million students

As an Immediate Support

In Nepal, UNICEF is working in collaboration with the government departments and other partners to launch and scale-up its relief measures for flood victims. The organization is planning for an intensified immunization programme in 16 flood-affected districts. A special focus will be laid on measures related to control Severe Acute Malnutrition.

UNICEF has so far provided over USD 320,000 worth relief material for Health, Nutrition, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Child protection and Education activities as an immediate support to Nepal’s flood victims.

In Bangladesh, UNICEF is preparing to provide emergency education services to around 6,000 children immediately. Apart from that, it is also establishing temporary transitional schools, learning spaces and organizing boat transportation for children and teachers for their commute to schools.

UNICEF is also undertaking relief and rescue measures in flood-affected Indian states.

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