UNICEF supplies arrive in flood affected areas, bringing relief to displaced families

LILONGWE, Malawi, March 19, 2019 /CNW/ - UNICEF supplies have begun arriving in areas affected by heavy rains and floods in southern Malawi, bringing a measure of relief to families living in evacuation centres. The supplies include thousands of packets of oral rehydration salts, antibiotics, and hundreds of insecticide-treated bednets. UNICEF is working in coordination with the Government of Malawi and UN Country Team to deliver a joined-up humanitarian response.

Eneless Bernard prepares a meal at Chagambatuka Primary School camp in Chikwawa as her 3-year-old daughter Lincy cries in her mother's arms © UNICEF Malawi/2019/ Rebecca Phwitiko (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada)

"After a disaster like the recent floods, UNICEF's priority is to help children and families who have lost their homes and are living in evacuation centres or with other families in their communities," UNICEF Malawi Representative Johannes Wedenig said. "We have emergency supplies pre-positioned in areas of Malawi that are regularly affected by natural disasters, which has allowed us to move quickly to meet people's immediate needs."

More than 922,900 people have been impacted in 14 affected districts since 9 March, including an estimated 460,000 children, according to figures from the Department of Disaster Management and Preparedness (DoDMA). This includes 56 deaths and 577 injuries.

Additional rains associated with Cyclone Idai are complicating the humanitarian response, as access to vulnerable communities is already limited.  With thousands forced out their flooded homes, many families lack basic supplies including food, water and sanitation facilities. The floods have also disrupted learning for thousands of children.

As of 19 March, the following supplies have arrived in affected areas:

• Water, sanitation and hygiene supplies in Chikwawa and Nsanje, including 20 mobile toilets and bathroom shelters 1,000 bottles with water guard; 1,000 bars of soap; 1,365 bacteriological test kits; 371 plastic buckets; and 80 water disinfection kits
• Health supplies in Chikwawa, Mangochi, Nsanje and Phalombe, including 8,000 packets of oral rehydration solution; 1,300 bottles of antibiotics for children; and 400 insecticide-treated bednets
• Education supplies in Chickwawa and Nsanje, including two tents for temporary classrooms.

The supplies are being delivered with the assistance of UNICEF partners, including district authorities, Médecins Sans Frontières, Red Cross, United Purpose and World Vision.

Further supplies have been dispatched from warehouses and are in transit to affected areas, as follows:

• Water, sanitation and hygiene supplies, including 12 mobile toilets and bathroom shelters; 6,804 bottles with water guard; and 5,200 bars of soap.
• Health supplies, including 20 baby cots for hospitals; 17 handheld ultrasound monitors; 27 thermometers; and 200 bednets
• Education supplies, including 50 tents for temporary classrooms; 143 school-in-a-box kits; 101 recreational kits for child-friendly spaces.

In addition to these supplies, UNICEF is training volunteer teachers for deployment and supporting DoDMA to assess the situation using drones. Drone acquired photos and videos of the affected area are being used to assess flood damage to buildings and fields, and to help plan the humanitarian response.

UNICEF and other UN agencies are mobilising resources for the response. In order to respond quickly, UNICEF is requesting funds from donors, including the reallocation of existing funds, to respond to the most urgent needs. UNICEF estimates a requirement of US $8,265,000 to meet the immediate and medium-term needs of children and women throughout the affected areas.

Download materials

Photos, videos and audio recordings of quotes are available to download here: https://bit.ly/2NWs85K

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, nutrition and food security, education, emergency relief and more.

UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive. For more information about UNICEF, please visit unicef.ca For updates, follow us on Twitter and Facebook or visit unicef.ca.

SOURCE UNICEF Canada

To arrange interviews or for more information please contact: Marie-Hélène Bachand, Communications Manager, UNICEF Canada, [phone] ext. 8425/mobile: [phone], [email protected]