BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
UNICEF continues to work closely with national and provincial authorities to support life-saving interventions for children and women affected by Tropical Cyclone (TC) Maila.
This was highlighted during a media briefing held on Thursday this week on UNICEF’s humanitarian response following TC Maila.
UNICEF is also strengthening accountability to affected populations and promoting Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) across all response activities.
Since the start of the emergency, UNICEF has deployed personnel to Choiseul and Western Provinces to coordinate and lead response efforts on the ground.
To maintain essential health services in cyclone-affected areas of Western Province, UNICEF has shipped critical health and nutrition supplies aimed at supporting the continuity of primary health care and maternal services.
The supplies are expected to assist between 480 and 600 children under five years old who are suffering from or at risk of acute malnutrition, as well as 1,500 to 2,000 households facing an increased risk of diarrhoeal diseases due to damaged water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems.
In addition, the distribution of 400 long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) is expected to protect around 2,000 people, including children and pregnant women, from vector-borne diseases.
Medical equipment and Interagency Emergency Health Kits (IEHK) will also help restore services at 8 to 10 primary health facilities, benefiting an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people.
Three midwifery kits have also been supplied to support safe delivery services for approximately 150 to 200 pregnant women.
Despite progress made through life-saving assistance, UNICEF said major gaps remain in the WASH, health, education and protection sectors, highlighting the need for continued humanitarian support and early recovery interventions to restore essential services for affected communities.
Logistical challenges and high fuel costs in remote island locations continue to affect response operations, particularly in communities that rely heavily on marine transport for the delivery of aid.
To further guide response planning, UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, will conduct a Rapid Nutrition Assessment targeting between 800 and 1,200 children aged six to 59 months, alongside caregiver interviews to assess nutrition risks and anticipated needs.
TC Maila affected an estimated 150,000 people across 161 communities, with the worst impacts recorded in Western and Choiseul Provinces. Additional impacts were also reported in Guadalcanal and Isabel Provinces.
Photo credit: UNICEF
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