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The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is actively assisting vulnerable populations in some of the most severely affected regions of central Myanmar. However, the scale of the humanitarian crisis necessitates significantly more support.
“During rainfall, families are unable to sleep, and even when the rain ceases, anxiety remains that the wind will displace their only form of shelter,” remarked Dr. Thushara Fernando, the WHO representative in Myanmar.
In an update shared from Yangon, Dr. Fernando emphasized the rising threat posed by waterborne diseases, noting that “this risk is becoming a grim reality” for the thousands who continue to live under plastic sheeting surrounded by stagnant water.
Recently, a cholera outbreak was reported in Mandalay, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
He further highlighted the dire conditions faced by survivors: “They feed their infants and consume food and drink in their tents, yet lack even basic necessities like mosquito nets for nighttime protection.”
“Water supplies are tainted, temporary sanitation facilities are overloaded, and there have already been cases of acute watery diarrhea observed in two areas,” Dr. Fernando elaborated.
On March 28, two significant earthquakes struck central Myanmar, leading to the loss of at least 3,700 lives. Approximately 5,100 individuals were reported injured, with 114 still unaccounted for, according to WHO. The actual impact is believed to be greater since many cases remain unreported.
Aftershocks Persist
In the aftermath, survivors and aid workers have endured over 140 aftershocks, with some reaching a magnitude of 5.9. These continuing tremors have exacerbated psychological distress and disrupted the delivery of humanitarian aid.
In response to the crisis, the UN health agency has shipped approximately 170 tonnes of emergency medical supplies intended to support 450,000 individuals over the next three months.
WHO is coordinating the efforts of more than 220 emergency medical teams in the affected regions, along with launching a targeted initiative to prevent dengue fever in collaboration with national and local partners. This includes distributing around 4,500 rapid diagnostic test kits to frontline workers, as well as hundreds of insecticide-treated nets for those in the most impacted areas, like Mandalay.
A Pivotal Moment
Dr. Fernando stated that the WHO is striving to provide a variety of essential services, though on a “very limited” basis. This encompasses trauma care, mental health services, psychosocial support, maternal and child healthcare, and preventive measures for non-communicable diseases.
“If urgent and sustained funding is not provided, we will face the risk of secondary health crises arising,” Dr. Fernando warned.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also echoed these concerns, observing that initial signs of acute watery diarrhoea are already surfacing in the most affected regions.
Disruptions in access to food and essential services have led to deteriorating nutritional conditions, particularly among young children, as highlighted by UNICEF representative Eliana Drakopoulos in a statement to UN News.
“With low immunization rates and the monsoon season approaching, the likelihood of outbreaks of preventable diseases is increasing significantly,” Ms. Drakopoulos added. “Prompt action is imperative.”
Source
news.un.org