JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Clean water systems have been damaged across affected districts, while toilets and other sanitation facilities have been damaged or destroyed, increasing the risk of infectious and waterborne diseases.
“Every parent in these districts is now doing the same calculations several times a day,” said Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative in Nepal. “Where can I get water, and is it safe to give it to my child?”
Crowded living conditions
Affected families now live with host communities or in holding centers – overcrowded places that make it difficult to maintain safe hygiene practices.
This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights how flooding, displacement, overcrowding and waterlogging can increase the risk of infectious diseases such as dengue fever and typhus.
“The risk of waterborne diseases increases rapidly in these conditions, but these diseases are preventableinsisted Ms. Akunga.
Supplies reach the community
UNICEF has delivered water, sanitation and hygiene supplies to around 19,000 people in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, one of the most affected areas.
These items are included more than 3,800 cleaning supplies, 3,300 collapsible 10 liter jerry cans, 3,500 buckets, 3,500 one liter mugs, 4,000 bottles of water treatment solution and more than 1,000 sheets of tarpaulin.
Staff also collaborate with partners and government partners on disease surveillance, hygiene promotion, and outbreak prevention.
Critical infrastructure was destroyed
The flood was triggered by the collapse of a glacier on the Nepal-China border on August 26. The death toll has surpassed 1,100, according to international media reports.
Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, telecommunications networks and clean water systems are damaged, making it difficult for people to access and distribute aid.
UNICEF estimation That At least 19 schools were damaged, eight of which were completely damaged and eight were partially damagedwhile more than 10,000 school-aged children need immediate psychosocial support and access to safe learning spaces.
Young lives turned upside down
“Before, I spent most of my time at school and hanging out with friends when I was free,” Swostik Paudel, a 14-year-old student from Nuwakot, recently notified agency. “Mostly we play soccer.”
Swostik now lives in a shelter with his parents and sister where he tries to stay connected to his former life.
“Some kids brought balls here,” he said. “Even though it was leaked, we have circulated it. Some of our friends also played with matches.”
Build back better
As access improves, UNICEF will scale up emergency water supplies, household water treatment, water quality monitoring, temporary sanitation and handwashing facilities, as well as critical hygiene and menstrual hygiene supplies in communities and holding centers.
Ms Akunga said restoring clean water and sanitation “is not a job that can be done in one week”. He emphasized that damaged water systems, pipelines, pumps, toilets and other sanitation infrastructure need to be repaired and rebuilt to withstand future floods.
“We need to make communities safer and more resilient,” he said. “Otherwise, we will have the same conversation again after the next disaster, and it will be the children who suffer the impact again.”
