WUNRN
Myanmar/Burma
- Cyclone - Women & Children
Burmese Women Walking
Home After Work
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NEW YORK (May 5, 2008) — Powerful Cyclone
Nargis, which slammed into the southeast Asian country of Myanmar over the
weekend, killed and injured many women and children in its wake. However,
in a country where more than 60 percent are women and children, hundreds of thousands
more lives are at risk due to lack of shelter and unsafe drinking water.
"Our biggest fear is that the aftermath
could be more lethal than the storm itself," said Caryl Stern, President and CEO, U.S. Fund for
UNICEF.
Preliminary reports suggest that 10,000 people
have been killed and almost 3,000 more are missing. This would make it the
world's deadliest storm since a 1999 cyclone in India. About 100,000 are
homeless in the wake of the Myanmar cyclone.
UNICEF is moving quickly to respond—today
deploying five assessment teams. UNICEF will also take the lead in water and sanitation and hygiene, child
protection and education. Immediate
needs include: water purification tablets, plastic sheeting, cooking sets, bed
nets, emergency health kits and food. A major priority is ensuring safe water
supplies, especially to vulnerable children.
Detailed information on the impact is not yet
available due to downed communications and blocked roads. The southwest of the
delta region is believed to be the worst-hit area and was affected both by strong
winds and a sizable storm surge. The authorities have indicated that many
villages in this area have been completely flattened.
Electrical lines are down, affecting delivery
of service, blocking roads and access to rescue vehicles.
"This is clearly a disaster of immense
proportions and as is frequently the case children will bear the brunt of it—in
terms of loss of life, injuries, displacement and interruption to
schooling," said Stern. "As with any disaster, UNICEF will do
whatever it takes to save children’s lives. With an on the ground presence
since 1950 in Myanmar we are well positioned to respond to this tragedy."
UNICEF has had a presence on the ground in
Myanmar since 1950, with nine zonal offices and a head office in Yangon. Prior
to the disaster, UNICEF had stockpiled crucial supplies.
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