Over HK$2M funds needed for Gansu’s emergency assistance UNICEF is ramping up efforts to resume maternal and child health care services
2010-08-12
Hong Kong, 12 August 2010 –Responding swiftly to the emergency in Gansu, UNICEF has sent out 2 ambulances and life-saving equipment to Zhouqu County, to support urgent services to pregnant women and children. A large scale immunisation campaign and more projects are helping tens of thousands in the devastated area. The total current funding needs for emergency assistance cost over HK$2,000,000.
UNICEF is committed to responding to the needs of children and their family though this difficult time, and has been in close contact with central government, Ministry of Civil Affairs, and local counterparts to collect damage assessments and information on needs in the field. The Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (HKCU) has promptly allocated $1,000,000 and expresses deep concerns for the affected people.
“We are believe young children are among the most vulnerable in any emergency. UNICEF China is now mobilising the urgently needed relief supplies for children and women affected. The Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF is ready to give our full support to the affected regions,” said Ms. Irene Chan, Chief Executive ofHKCU.
According to the information from the field office, the situation of health care services is especially worrying. The Zhouqu County MCH hospital has been flooded killing two of its staff members and destroying the entire building together with all the medical equipment in it. The county’s Centre for Disease Control’s officehas been severely damaged, along with the cold chain equipment, refrigerators and vaccine transport vehicles,disrupting local capacity to provide immunisation services. Several nearby township clinics were also damaged.
Medical supplies and services are urgently needed. Ambulances and life-saving equipment are crucial for temporary medical stations to help pregnant women and children in such a dangerous situation. A large vaccination campaign has to be implementedas soon as possible to avoid any infectious disease outeaks after the disaster.
As forecasts call for additional rain in the coming five days, rescue efforts will continue to be hindered by the heavy sludge covering major roads, blocking the movements of vehicles.
On the other hand, Pakistan is facing the worst flooding in more than 80 years by heavy monsoon rains, over 14 million people have been affected including an estimated 6 million children. Forecasts predict heavy rain will continue to fall for at least the next three days making assessments and delivery of assistance nearly impossible. UNICEF has allocated another HK$1,000,000 to support emergency relief work in Pakistan.
The Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF is appealing for additional support from the general public of Hong Kong to help the victims of the disasters through donations.
Details of UNICEF’s response:
Maternal and Child Health:2 ambulances and life-saving equipment have been delivered to support the provision of services to pregnant women and children at the Zhouqu County Hospital, including 4 delivery beds, 3 infant incubators, 3 neonatal rescue tables, 6 resuscitation bags, 1 portable X-ray machine and more. Along with the 6 month long multi-micronutrient sachets sufficient for 2,000 children aged 6-36 months, the approximate value for maternal and child health assistance is HK$950,000.
Immunisation:UNICEFis assisting in the government’s emergency response immunisationcampaign by supporting the emergency measles, Mumps and Rubella and Hepatitis A vaccination campaigns, targeting 10,000 children aged 8 months-6 years. UNICEF is supporting the recovery of the vaccine cold chain and the immunisation registry information system. The total funding needs cost approximately HK$780,000.
Education:The mudslides have caused severe destruction to a number of schools, including Chengguan No. 1 Primary School and Chengguan No.2 Primary School. UNICEF is providing 5,000 student kits, each containing school supplies and a schoolbag, to children in the disaster zone, costingHK$273,000.
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For more information, please contact:Simmy Li Tel + 8522836 2929, E-mail: [email protected].hk
Joyce Chan Tel + 852 2836 2930, Email: [email protected]
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AboutUNICEF UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
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Donation to Gansu Mudslides
1. Donation Hotline : 2833 6139
2. Direct Bank- in
3. Cheque: Payable to “Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF” (Please send us the cheque with personal details with remark “Gansu” at the back and send to “Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF, 3/F, 60 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong.”)
Gansu Mudslides
HSBC : 567-354014-005 Bank of China : 012-875-0-0218683 Wing Lung Bank : 020-601-003-76348
Donation to Pakistan Floods
1. Donation Hotline : 2833 6139
2. Direct Bank- in
3. Cheque: Payable to “Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF” (Please send us the cheque with personal details with remark “Pakistan” at the back and send to “Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF, 3/F, 60 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong.”)
Pakistan Flood HSBC : 567-354014-004 Bank of China : 012-875-1-0810855 Wing Lung Bank : 020-601-003-76352