UN Warns of Health Crisis in Flood Stricken Asia

UN agencies warn of potential health crisis following South Asia floods

United Nations agencies are warning of a possible health emergency in South Asia, after severe flooding in recent weeks has left some 30 million people in India, Bangladesh and Nepal in urgent need of fresh water, food and shelter.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN World Health Organization (WHO) are concerned about the spread of water-borne diseases, viral fever and skin infections, and are providing emergency medical kits and other supplies in the affected areas.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, UNICEF's Veronique Taveau warned that the needs would be long-term and that many thousands could remain homeless for weeks.

Many of the affected areas in India were home to impoverished communities who suffered from poor sanitation and hygiene year round. Now, entire villages were days away from a health crisis, she said.

While water levels in Nepal have receded in many areas, Ms. Taveau said the delivery of vital aid was being hampered by security concerns and damage to access routes and infrastructure.

She warned that the situation in Bangladesh, where nearly 8 million people are affected, could worsen rapidly over the coming days.

Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is concerned that monsoon rains could worsen flooding in areas already affected by the June cyclone and floods.

OCHA notes that its flash appeal for $38 million for Pakistan, launched three weeks ago, remains less than one third funded. The UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan is appealing to the donor community to urgently meet the funding shortfall.

ENDS

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