Floods In Myanmar Strike At Most Vulnerable Group - UNICEF

By Minggu Simon Lhasa BANGKOK, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- Myanmar's vulnerable children are reeling from the effects of a 'double whammy'. Apart from living in poverty and recovering from violence and conflict, floods have weighed in on their hardship as well, warns United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). “The floods are hitting the children and their families who are already very vulnerable, including those living in camps in Rakhine State,” said UNICEF Deputy Representative in Myanmar, Shalini Bahuguna. Beyond the immediate impact, the floods would have a longer term impact on the livelihood of the families, she said in a statement issued by UNICEF. In Rakhine State, 140,000 displaced children and families living in camps were particularly vulnerable, noted UNICEF. Shelters, latrines, bathing facilities, learning spaces and other facilities in the camps were constructed for short-term use, and damage was expected because of heavy rains and winds, it said. Earlier this year, UNICEF appealed for US$24.9 million to help children affected by violence and conflict in Rakhine State. However, it has only received US$5.6 million, leaving a US$19.3 million shortfall, even before the needs of flood-affected families are taken into account. “The impact of these floods makes the need for funding, particularly for displaced and vulnerable families, even more urgent. “The poorest children and families are going to be the hardest hit, and we need to build their resilience so they can cope with these kinds of crises,” said Bahuguna. UNICEF said Myanmar was battered with heavy rain for weeks, with winds and rains from Cyclone Komen that made landfall in Bangladesh on July 30, add on to the damage in recent days. It said according to the Myanmar Government, 36 people have died and over 200,000 people nationwide were in need of lifesaving assistance. It added that 12 out of Myanmar’s 14 states and regions had been affected by the rains and the government had declared natural disaster zones in four regions - Chin, Magwe, Sagaing and Rakhine. Information on the number of people affected in the worst-affected states, including Rakhine State, was still limited as assessment teams were unable to reach affected townships due to flooding, road blockages and landslides, noted the statement. -- BERNAMA