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UNICEF responds to Colombia quake

"The devastation in the Department of Valle del Cauca is profoundly distressing," UNICEF Exeutive Director Carol Bellamy said. "The injuries and loss of life are tragic reminders of the destructive power of natural disasters and of our obligation to provide immediate assistance to their victims, particularly children and women."

More than 250,000 people were left homeless and cities and villages were virtually leveled by the quake in western Colombia, which measured 6.0 on the Richter scale and sent shockwaves in a radius of more than 100 miles. UNICEF estimates that 60 percent of the quake's victims are children and women.

UNICEF staff, together with representatives of the Colombian Red Cross, traveled today to Risaralda, Quindio and Valle del Cauca to carry out a rapid assessment of the most urgent needs of children and women there. The children's agency is also evaluating the effect of the quake's damage on health, nutrition and on education projects in the region.

UNICEF Representative for Colombia, Carel de Rooy, said today that the agency's emergency response would include: Distribution to families of Basic Survival Kits which include tents, blankets, kitchen utensils, water tanks, lamps and first-aid items.

Deployment of 150 volunteers from the Colombian Movement of Children for Peace to help children overcome the trauma of this tragedy.

Provision and distribution of education kits, school materials, notebooks and pencils to thousands of children whose education has been disrupted by the emergency.

UNICEF estimates that at least $500,000 will be needed to fund these and other emergency responses over the next three months.

In cooperation with the Colombian Red Cross and the National Emergency Organisation, UNICEF is also preparing a radio, TV and information campaign which focuses on the needs of children during this emergency.

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