UNICEF stresses supporting vulnerable children in flood-hit Myanmar

The United Nations Children's Fund ( UNICEF) on Monday stressed to support the vulnerable children in Myanmar after monsoon rains trigger flash floods and landslides, a press release of the UNICEF said here. "The poorest children and families are going to be the hardest hit, and we need to build their resilience so they can cope with these kinds of crises," UNICEF Deputy Representative in Myanmar Shalini Bahuguna said in the press release.

The Myanmar government is leading the response, and UNICEF together with other UN agencies is working closely with the Myanmar authorities to assess the urgent needs of children.

The organization has dispatched assessment teams to affected areas which can be reached, to identify the priority needs of children and families in terms of water and sanitation, health care, and nutrition, it added.

Earlier this year, UNICEF appealed for 24.9 million U.S.dollars to help children affected by violence and conflict in Rakhine State. The organization has received 5.6 million U.S. dollars, leaving a 19.3 million U.S.dollars shortfall, even before the needs of flood-affected families are taken into account, the release said.

Official figures said the flash flood has left at least 35 people dead in Rakhine State, where three townships were severely affected and emergency aids are needed.

Meanwhile, 47 people have died and over 210,000 people in 12 out of Myanmar's 14 states and regions have been affected by the continuous heavy monsoon rains since June, according to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

More than 6,000 households were being sheltered in 130 relief camps in 12 regions and states in the country, the ministry said.

Sagaing Region has accommodated more than 12,000 flood victims of over 2,500 households at eight relief camps.

About 850,600 acres (344,493 hectares) of farmlands were submerged, of which Rakhine state suffered the most with over 260, 000 acres (105,300 hectares), an official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation told Xinhua.

Meanwhile, most of the country's major rivers have reached or above their danger level, said the Meteorology and Hydrology Department.

The government has declared Magway and Sagaing regions as well as Rakhine and Chin states as natural disaster zones.

Flooding caused by heavy rainfall during June and July has hit people from many parts of the country, destroying houses, farmland, railway lines, bridges and roads.

The country's weather bureau also forecast that heavy rainfalls are expected across the country.