Unicef demands immediate flood aid

“The number of children and families affected by floods continues to rise with the total now at 1.1 million people, of which nearly 390,000 are children,” a Unicef statement said. 

“As it becomes increasingly difficult to guarantee safe water sources, the importance of breastfeeding to infant health is even more critical. Diarrhoea and water-borne diseases can be fatal for young children.”

Unicef spokeswoman Alison Rhodes said: “Drinking contaminated water causes diarrhoea, which is one of the top causes of deaths for the under-fives. Mixing unsafe water into food, such as infant formula powder, can be very dangerous. Exclusive breastfeeding is the safest way to feed babies and breast milk has all the nutrients and antibodies to protect their health.” 

Unicef has been conducting assessments on the recovery needs in Sagaing, Magway, Bago and Ayeyawady regions and Rakhine State

Unicef called for US$9.2 million for humanitarian assistance for children affected by the floods, including a safe supply of water, emergency health care and psycho-social support for children.

A UN report this month said: “Myanmar is prone to natural disasters such as floods, cyclones and earthquakes. There is a need for more resources to scale up disaster preparedness and to improve community resilience. The heaviest affected areas are among the poorest states in Myanmar, a country where nearly 70 per cent of people live close to the US$2-per-day poverty threshold, and children make up 34 per cent of the population.” 

Medical teams have been chlorinating wells and ponds, cleaning up filthy areas, providing health care with special priority to the elderly, pregnant women and children and preventing diarrhoea, hepatitis and poisoning.