United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Thursday, said that at least 19 million children from India and Bangladesh are at imminent risk due to Cyclone Amphan, that has been causing flash floods, incessant heavy rains and storm in both the countries since Wednesday.
Cyclone Amphan creating havoc in both countries
In India, the super-storm hit Bengal on Wednesday, and ever since, there has been several incidents of destruction reported from the state. The city of Kolkata is one of the worst-hit in the state.
As per the latest reports, 72 deaths have been reported in West Bengal due to the cyclone. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also requested PM Modi to come and visit the cyclone-affected areas.
The Odisha government has already started executing its plan of evacuating 1 million people to safety inorder to achieve the goal of zero-casualty due to the cyclone.
UNICEF responds on the topic
In a statement, the United Nations company said: “UNICEF is also very concerned that COVID-19 could deepen the humanitarian consequences of Cyclone Amphan in both countries. Evacuees who have moved to crowded temporary shelters would be especially vulnerable to the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19, as well as other infections.”
Jean Gough, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia said: “We continue to monitor the situation closely.The safety of children and their families in the areas that will be impacted is a priority and it is good to see that the authorities have planned their urgent response factoring in the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.”
The UNICEF further added that the company is working with authorities in Bangladesh to help mitigate the impact of the cyclone. UNICEF said:“UNICEF is working with the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Cox’s Bazar, the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, and humanitarian partners to help ensure Bangladeshi and Rohingya children and families remain protected. These efforts include raising awareness among Rohingya and Bangladeshi communities on cyclone preparedness and prepositioning emergency life-saving water, sanitation, hygiene and medical supplies to meet immediate humanitarian needs,”
Source: Times of India
