Unicef - Typhoon Damrey: 1 million children affected as UNICEF deploys experts

9 Nov 2017 10:54 AM

UNICEF is deploying experts to join the rapid assessment team led by Viet Nam’s Disaster Management Authority and they will assess specifically the situation of children in remote communes in Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces of Viet Nam where Typhoon Damrey made a deadly landfall on 4 November.

At least 1 million children have been affected by the storm and the organization’s focus is to look at the impact on those children, especially the most vulnerable ones who live in hard to reach areas, and to look at their needs in terms of water, hygiene and sanitation, health, education and child protection.

Access to the affected populations has been made difficult due to heavy rainfall that has pounded portions of the country since then and continued flooding in certain areas. The storm has killed at least 91 people, including at least 10 children, according to latest official report released by central authorities. More data is still collected from the field. Heavy rain and strong wind also caused extensive damage to houses, infrastructure and agriculture.

“UNICEF has a long-established relationship with Viet Nam which allows us to step up quickly when children need it the most and to support the authorities when faced with the exceptional challenge of providing emergency relief to the affected people,” said Yoshimi Nishino, UNICEF Acting Deputy Representative in Viet Nam. “In a chaos caused by a storm the strength of Damrey, children and adolescents are extremely vulnerable and their special needs must be taken into account, and we must all ensure that these needs remain a priority in relief efforts.”

UNICEF’s priority is to ensure that children and young people are protected from the increased risk of water-borne diseases and from malnutrition, while also supporting efforts to ensure minimal disruption on their education. This rapid assessment mission will last until 13 November and will allow UNICEF and partners to identify specific needs of children in the region and specific support to relief efforts to ensure the children’s needs remain a priority.