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Save the Children Assists Children and Families Imperiled by South Asian Floods
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Westport, Conn. (August 9, 2007) – Save the Children has launched a regionwide response to monsoon-triggered flooding across the South Asian countries of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan.
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Families in Nepal taking refuge after flash flooding. |
Save the Children is reaching out to more than 132,000 families across the four countries with critical supplies and provide ongoing support in the areas of health, education, child protection, livelihoods, and water and sanitation as the population works toward recovery.
Approximately 30 million people have been displaced by the floodwaters, according to UNICEF, which reports that this year's floods — while not unexpected — have been particularly destructive. Families have lost homes, livestock, crops, livelihoods and food supplies, making day-to-day life a struggle and putting tens of thousands of children at risk. Aid agencies report that stagnant waters and food shortages are contributing to outbreaks of disease.
"The immediate survival needs of families in flood-affected countries are enormous," said Rudy von Bernuth, who heads Save the Children's emergency response operations. "Millions of people have lost everything. They are living in makeshift shelters surrounded by myriad environmental dangers — and the monsoon season isn't over yet. Children will be in a very difficult situation for months as their families and countries try to recover."
In India, monsoon waters have severely affected 10 states, home to 12.8 million people, including at least 5.1 million children. The agency plans to assist 24,200 households, including 111,400 children. Currently Save the Children and its local partners are working in West Bengal, where it is providing temporary shelter for 200 families; clean water for 2,000 families; and books and educational materials so that children do not miss out on their education. In Orissa, Save the Children has set up 20 health camps and is distributing tarpaulins to 2,500 families and emergency education materials to 2,000 children. The agency also plans to assist 8,000 children in Assam with clothing and school supplies.
In Pakistan, where intense storms and a major cyclone at the end of June caused severe flooding, the government reports that more than 371,000 families are homeless. Save the Children will target assistance to at least 26,000 households, including at least 18,000 children. The agency's ongoing response has provided 2,000 families in Turbat district with basic hygiene and food supplies; 1,000 families in Bolan and Kharan with basic hygiene and food supplies; and 700 families in Chagai with UNHCR-supplied shelter materials and other non-food items. Over the coming weeks, it will work to rebuild livelihoods, improve community health and nutrition, and support the reopening and improvement of schools, in order to ensure that children affected by the disaster will have the opportunity to survive and thrive.
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Flooding in India |
In Nepal, where 29 of 75 districts have been flooded, Save the Children is distributing food and other immediate relief items to affected families in Kailali, Siraha, Banke and Bardia districts. Highly vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant and lactating mothers, are being prioritized for support. In addition, the agency will assist local communities in re-establishing quality education and health services by repairing schools, child development centers, health service centers, and the drinking water system. To protect children from starvation and the risk of spreading waterborne diseases, Save the Children also will organize health and sanitation sessions for affected communities.
More than two-thirds of Bangladesh has been submerged by flood waters since the start of monsoon season in late June, affecting 7.8 million people. Families face acute shortages of drinking water, food and coking fuel. Save the Children is working to mitigate the negative affects of flood on the lives of children and their families by distributing water purification tablets and installing hand wells; food packages containing dry food, biscuits, cereals, pulses, iodized salt, and sugar—as well as supplementary food for children under 3 years old to prevent acute malnutrition; and shelter materials. In addition, children in the affected areas will be engaged in age-suitable activities through distribution of recreation kits. Save the Children plans to reach 82,000 flood-affected households, with priority given to children and families living in hard-to-reach areas; children without parents; the elderly and people with disabilities; and pregnant and lactating mothers.
Across the region, Save the Children also is focusing on education for flood-affected children. Many schools have been destroyed or are being used as temporary shelters for displaced families. The agency will provide supplies and other assistance to ensure that children do not fall behind in their studies.
Save the Children has launched an appeal for funding to meet the most critical needs of children and their families in these early stages of response — and to assist families as they recover from this disaster.
