Food and supplies
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© UNICEF Bangladesh/2007/Noorani |
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Sitting in the door of her cyclone-damaged home, 11-year-old Taslima feeds her niece a high energy biscuit mixed with water. UNICEF supplied the emergency food supplement throughout Sidr-affected areas in Barisal and Khulna divisions. |
To safeguard the health and nutrition of women and children during emergencies, UNICEF delivers food supplements, essential drugs and supplies to vulnerable communities.
Food supplements
Because the youngest children are often the most vulnerable during a crisis, UNICEF provides highly-nutritious biscuits and blended food to children under the age of five and to pregnant and lactating mothers. Micro-nutrient powders are also distributed to nutritionally compromised women and children.
Family kits
Homes in Bangladesh are often built from cast-iron, mud and bamboo, making houses and household possessions vulnerable to floods and tidal surges. UNICEF provides blankets, tarpaulins, and family kits to those whose homes are destroyed. The kits contain cooking and eating utensils, clothes, plastic sheets and other essential items.
Medical supplies
Securing supplies of essential medicines and oral rehydration salts helps prevent disease outbreaks during emergencies. UNICEF stockpiles necessary medical supplies at the local level and helps ensure robust cold-chains to transport medicines and vaccines to crisis spots.
