UNICEF responds to immediate needs of China's quake-affected children
100 tons of UNICEF medical supplies to land in Sichuan
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Twelve percent of the dead or missing are teachers and school-aged children, as more than 13,400 schools collapsed
NEW YORK (May 29, 2008) — A UNICEF emergency relief shipment containing 100 tons of health and nutritional supplies for children and pregnant women will arrive in Sichuan on Friday, May 30. The shipment of "emergency health kits," consisting of basic medicines and equipment, nutritional supplements and obstetric supplies, will arrive by air from the UNICEF global warehouse in Denmark. Once in Chengdu, the goods will be transported to the 13 counties worst hit by the May 12 earthquake.
The supplies will provide support for the basic health needs of 1.4 million people over three months and for the safe handling of up to 2,000 complicated deliveries. UNICEF is working closely with national and local authorities to coordinate the massive shipment.
UNICEF is committed to providing millions of dollars in immediate assistance for the hundreds of thousands injured and those in dire need of medical attention, food, shelter, clean water and sanitation after the May 12 earthquake that devastated the eastern Sichuan Province of China.
As the death toll from the earthquake exceeds 68,000, according to official estimates, the needs of survivors are growing daily. At least 300,000 people were injured and 5 million displaced. UNICEF staff on the ground report urgent needs for blankets, tents and clean drinking water. Due to the cold and wet conditions prevalent in the region, quilts and sleeping bags have been distributed along with clothes, shoes and jackets for children.
"Time is of the essence at this stage," said Caryl Stern, President and C.E.O. of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "UNICEF’s focus right now is on providing basic aid—shelter, clothing, clean drinking water, food and emergency medical supplies—since the survival of young children is now at stake."
UNICEF said these actions are just the beginning of its support for the relief effort. Over the next couple weeks, UNICEF will also be working closely with government to sustain immunization coverage, deliver vitamin A to helps boost children’s immune systems, provide supplementary nutrition to vulnerable children and women, procure tents required to set up temporary classrooms and provide immediate psycho-social assistance for children suffering emotional trauma.
Additionally, following a natural disaster, UNICEF works to rapidly identify and document all separated and unaccompanied children. When children are suddenly separated from their parents and family, they are much more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is accepting contributions for the earthquake relief efforts in China. To make a donation, please call 1.800.4UNICEF or visit www.unicefusa.org.
About UNICEF
For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world’s leading international children’s organization, working in over 150 countries to address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF, with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicefusa.org.
For additional information, please contact:
Marissa Buckanoff, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212.922.2485
Marci Greenberg, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212.922.2464
