The United Nations children’s agency, UNICEF, has highlighted the urgent need for access to clean water and sanitation for nearly six million children affected by Typhoon Yagi in Southeast Asia. The storm, which hit the Philippines and then moved across Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, has left a trail of destruction, with over 500 people killed and millions displaced. UNICEF has emphasized the devastating consequences faced by vulnerable children and families in the aftermath of the storm, calling for a restoration of essential services such as clean water, education, and healthcare.
The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) has also mobilized relief efforts, issuing emergency appeals for Vietnam and Myanmar. The IFRC noted the compounding effects of climate change on vulnerable communities in the Asia Pacific region, with Super Typhoon Yagi being the latest example of climate-related disasters impacting those in vulnerable situations.
In addition to the immediate need for food, water, medicine, clothes, and shelter, UNICEF has reported damage to hundreds of schools and health centers in the affected areas. The organization highlighted the heightened risk of disease for three million people in Vietnam due to limited access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Tens of thousands of children in northern Thailand and Laos have also been affected by the disaster.
The situation in Myanmar, where conflict has already displaced hundreds of thousands of people, has been worsened by the impact of Typhoon Yagi. The military regime, which seized power in a coup earlier this year, has appealed for international assistance to tackle the crisis. However, the regime has faced criticism for obstructing relief efforts in the past.
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