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UNICEF, helping from day one

© AP Photo/Zhang Yunfei
n a photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, parents take their child to a hospital in Yangon. Residents of Myanmar's biggest city are struggling to recover from the effects of Cyclone Nargis, which destroyed thousands of homes.

Since UNICEF has had a permanent presence in Myanmar since 1950, emergency response efforts began immediately, drawing on pre-positioned emergency medical supplies.

Along with its partners, including other UN agencies and international and national non-governmental organisations, UNICEF is working closely with the Government of Myanmar to respond swiftly and effectively to the crisis.

Some 130 UNICEF technical and operations staff are on the ground in areas affected by Cyclone Nargis, identifying the greatest threats to children and women and delivering lifesaving supplies. More staff and supplies are on the way.

Emergency supplies that UNICEF is now distributing include: water purifying solutions, oral rehydration salts (ORS), tarpaulins, UNICEF family kits (which include cooking and cleaning implements and jerry cans) and bleaching drums.

The provision of gender-appropriate, protected latrines for displaced persons at camps is another priority. In addition, UNICEF is concerned about orphaned and separated children and is working with partners and the government to ensure their protection.

Here's a quick recap of what's been delivered to date:

  • 3 million water purification tablets from UNICEF's warehouse in Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • 6,000 ORS, 1,500 water guards, 10 essential drug kits (to cover 5,000 people per kit), 20 first aid kits, 270 tarpaulins, 1 bleaching drum and 300 family kits to Laputta, Irrawady division.
  • 5,000 ORS, 5,000 water guards, 10 drug kits, 20 first aid kits, 100 tarpaulins and 1 bleaching drum to Mawlemyine Kyun, Irrawaddy division.
  • 3,000 water guards, 3,000 ORS, 6 drug kits, 20 first aid kits, 1,000 tarpaulins and 2 bleaching drums to Hlaing Thar Yar and Kyauk Tan townships, Yangon.
  • 1,000 water guards, 1,000 ORS, 5 drug kits, 10 first aid kits to Kun Gyan Gon township in Yangon.
  • 1,000 water guards and 1,000 ORS for 1,280 children, including 120 HIV and AIDS affected girls and women, residing in Department of Social Welfare training schools in Yangon.

To support both current and planned efforts, UNICEF is requesting an initial amount of US$ 25.57 (RM 80.3) million to meet the urgent needs of children and women in the next six months throughout the affected areas.

 

 

 

 

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Video

6 May 2008:
UNICEF correspondent Chris Niles reports on UNICEF's emergency response to Cyclone Nargis. Footage courtesy of Reuters.
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