Unicef pushes for more relief support
Unicef has said it requires additional funding to continue providing the much-needed safe water to people affected by Tropical Storm Ana.
The organisation has so far reached an estimated population of 88 000 people, including 44 880 in six districts highly affected by the storm with safe water.
In its latest Humanitarian Situation Report released last Tuesday, the agency said the United Nations will soon launch a joint appeal that includes input from Unicef.
In the meantime, to respond to immediate needs, Unicef is requesting $7.6 million (about K6.1 billion) to meet the needs of children and women in the affected areas.
Unicef bemoaned the storm’s impact on learners, saying teaching and learning were compromised for 398 908 learners (201 135 boys and 197 773 girls) in 476 schools.
“Support is needed to restore quality learning, protection, and support the wellbeing of the affected learners,” reads the statement in part.
The statement further says the disaster also interrupted water, sanitation and hygiene with 53 962 latrines collapsing while 337 boreholes, 206 water taps and eight gravity-fed water schemes were damaged.
“As a result, there is low sanitation coverage, limited access to safe water and poor hygienic practices. Safe water supply, sanitation and hygiene services are immediately needed to address water, sanitation and hygiene issues,” it reads.
In addition, the statement says 10 200 under-five children were screened for malnutrition with Unicef support of whom 675 were malnourished and were referred for appropriate treatment.
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma), in its latest report, indicated that it requires K72.1 billion to cover all key sectors.
So far, Dodma has received K216.5 million as well as a $3 million (about 2.5 billion) allocation from the Central Emergency Relief Fund for an urgent humanitarian response.
