Two million children in the country at risk of climate: UNICEF
Over two million children in the eastern part of Bangladesh are at risk due to ongoing floods that have submerged homes, schools, and villages, reports UNICEF.
The agency reports that 5.6 million people have been affected by the worst flood in eastern Bangladesh in 34 years. UNICEF needs $35 million to provide essential supplies to thousands of people, including children, stranded without food or emergency assistance.
UNICEF Bangladesh gave such information in a press release on Monday.
Rivers in the south-eastern part of the country are overflowing because of unusually heavy monsoon rains, as stated in the press release. As a result of which more than 52 people have died so far. More than 500,000 people from Chattagram and Sylhet divisions are looking for some shelter.
Houses, roads, and fields have been submerged in flood water. Millions of children and their families are stuck in water, they have no food or any essential relief items. Government officials and volunteers are continuing the rescue operation.
But in some areas, it has become very difficult to deliver aid. As the monsoon rains continue, more people are expected to be affected in the coming days.
It is said that since the beginning of the disaster, UNICEF started working in the affected areas. UNICEF, together with Hasan Arif, an advisor from the Ministry of Local Government, conducted the initial verification phase. Together with the partners, UNICEF has so far reached more than 338,000 people, including 130,000 children.
They distributed life-saving supplies, including 3.6 million water purification tablets, 25,000 jerrycans, and over 250,000 bags of oral rehydration salts.
But beyond these, much more needs to be done as mentioned in the press release. Disaster-affected individuals and children urgently need cash assistance, safe drinking water, hygiene kits, emergency latrines, sanitary pads, oral rehydration salts, and life-saving medicines.
Immediate implementation of primary health care for sick newborns and children, as well as essential services for expectant mothers, is necessary for safe deliveries.
Emma Brigham, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Bangladesh, said the floods in eastern Bangladesh show how severely extreme weather and the climate crisis affect children. Many children have lost their loved ones, lost their homes and schools. They are very helpless.
He said that since the beginning, UNICEF has been actively providing emergency services including water purification tablets and oral saline. More funding is needed to reach all children and prevent the ongoing crisis from harming their futures.
Brigham stated that floods, heatwaves, and cyclones disrupt the lives of millions of children in Bangladesh yearly. Climate change is definitely changing the lives of children.
We urge global leaders to urgently act for children and take concrete steps to address the impacts of climate change on their lives.
