UNICEF: Vulnerable children at risk following earthquake

UNICEF: Vulnerable children at risk following Nepal earthquake

Donate: www.unicef.org.nz/Nepal

As severe aftershocks continue to disrupt the lives of millions of people in Nepal, UNICEF is deploying additional staff and emergency supplies to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of children affected by the disaster.

UNICEF and partners are planning to reach approximatively 2.8 million children out of an estimated 7 million population in 35 affected districts, focusing on water and sanitation, nutrition, education and child protection.

UNICEF New Zealand Executive Director, Vivien Maidaborn, said, "Even though it will be days or even weeks before we have the full picture, the vast scale of the devastation is already beginning to emerge.

"One thing we do know for sure is that the needs in Nepal will be enormous.

"Shelter is among the most pressing needs right now. People are sleeping outdoors as they're too afraid to be inside buildings for fear they will collapse around them.

"For children especially, this is in an incredibly traumatic time. The initial quake, the constant aftershocks and the sheer panic surrounding them are all too much for a child to have to process. And that’s not to mention those that have been injured, separated from their families or indeed left orphaned."

Limited access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities as well as medical treatment is also a worry so UNICEF is assisting in the delivery of clean water and providing tents and supplies for temporary hospitals.

UNICEF Nepal Communications Officer, Rupa Joshi said, "The weekend, was a sleepless one for most people in Kathmandu. It was for me. Sleep does not come easily when the earth shakes violently.

"Sometimes it starts with a gentle rocking, followed by the strange noises that homes make when an earthquake rolls in. At other times, we feel violent shakes that seem capable of uprooting the house, trees, anything. It was this kind of strong shaking that jolted us early this morning. And then in the afternoon the earth shook again violently, with such ferocity that it was hard to remain standing."

Ms Maidaborn added, "UNICEF is committed to helping the people of Nepal - before, during and after this crisis. We will ensure the children in this emergency have shelter, medicine, water and safe places to be while their families remain focused on the immediate crisis.

"To continue to do this we need urgent funds and are calling on all Kiwis to give what they can to help us reach the children of Nepal. Donations can be made online (www.unicef.org.nz/nepal) or by texting Nepal to 2923 to make a $3 donation."

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