UNICEF is undertaking urgent preliminary assessments of the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis, which struck southeast Myanmar on Saturday, killing thousands and injuring tens of thousands.
UNICEF has dispatched five assessment teams to three of the affected areas and life-saving supplies are being moved into position. UNICEF will work to provide access to clean water, safe sanitation and improved hygiene, and will seek to protect children and assist them in returning to school as soon as possible.
Preliminary reports suggest that thousands of people have been killed and thousands more are missing. Electrical lines are down, affecting delivery of services and aid, blocking roads and access to rescue vehicles.
Tags: Myanmar, UNICEF, Children, Cyclone Nargis, |
Matt, somehow I knew you'd have a post up about Myanmar, too. I've taken a different tact, encouraging folks to donate directly to the Burmese monks who are so beloved by the people impacted, but I hope Unicef and other organizations are able to get relief to these people soon, too. Talk about a disaster within a disaster. Unbelievable. K.