UNICEF: 2.4 million children in India affected by recent floods

Out of the total 4 million children that are currently estimated to be affected by devastating flooding in South Asia, 2.4 million children are from India alone, with many more at the risk as COVID-19 brings further challenges, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said in a report.

According to the UN body, weeks of torrential monsoon rains, widespread flooding and deadly landslides in Bangladesh, India and Nepal have affected millions of children and families.

UNICEF said, though flooding at this period of the year is common, this widespread scale of floods during mid-July is unusual.

“In India, over 6 million people cross Bihar, Assam, Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have been affected by the floods, including an estimated 2.4 million children,” it said.

UNICEF said it is working with governments and partners to respond quickly and effectively.

It is also supporting the Assam government to implement the covid-19 adapted relief camp management guidelines and child-friendly places in select districts, in addition to its focused support for maternal and child health services continuity and covid-19 response in many states, the statement said.

“Even for a region that is all-too-familiar with the devastating impact of extreme weather, the recent heavy monsoon rains, rising floods and continued landslides are creating a perfect storm for children and families affected,” said Jean Gough, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia.

“The covid-19 pandemic and containment and prevention measures add an additional complication to the mix, as covid-19 cases are accelerating in some of the affected areas,” she added.

The fall-out from the covid-19 pandemic is being aggravated by climate change and extreme weather events are arguably the biggest issues affecting children in South Asia right now.

Immediate support, more resources and innovative programmes are urgently needed to address the challenges that these threats represents to the region’s children, the Director said.