UNICEF assessing needs in storm-ravaged Haiti

[News_Editor]

UNICEF assessing needs in storm-ravaged Haiti

2010-11-09 06:16:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday announced that it is assessing the needs of Haitians after the hurricane Tomas hit the Caribbean island-nation.

Hurricane Tomas provoked heavy rains and flooding in Haiti's five southern departments and in other regions including Artibonite, Center, North West, and the communities of Léogane and Gressier, in the west of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital.

"Our immediate goal is to assess the impacts of the storm and prioritize our response and coordination efforts to ensure access to adequate sanitation, safe water, and basic health care," said Francoise Gruloos-Ackermans, UNICEF Representative in Haiti.

UNICEF has deployed teams to Haiti and the agency is also working with the Department of Civil Protection (DPC) and other UN agencies and partners on the ground to respond to the most urgent needs.

"It is also imperative in responding to emergencies such as this that separated and unaccompanied children, who are most at risk during emergencies, are protected and reunited with their families," added Gruloos-Ackermans.

UNICEF will be working to ensure the safe evacuation and relocation of children from flooded areas, safeguarding schools and school supplies, and protecting children in camps and orphanages fro those displaced due to the past natural disasters such as January's earthquake.

In addition, the flooding also complicated the response towards the recent cholera outburst that hit the Caribbean nation a few weeks ago. For this matter, UNICEF will also ensure the continued operation of Cholera Treatment Centers which are pat of measures to prevent further spread of cholera.

"Extensive flooding and the deterioration of clean water and sanitation supplies and circumstances can create the ideal conditions for spreading the cholera disease further, a risk that UNICEF and partners are addressing in their response plans."

So far, the cholera epidemic has killed 501 Haitians and 7,359 more are hospitalized as indicated by the Haitian Ministry of Health.

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