UNOCHA: Over 4.3M in Myanmar urgently need clean water after earthquake
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UNOCHA: Over 4.3M in Myanmar urgently need clean water after earthquake
Hsu (NP News) - April 27
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) Myanmar has reported that following the earthquake, over 4.3 million people in Myanmar urgently require clean water and sanitation assistance.
The earthquake's impact includes damaged water supply systems and the destruction of over 42,000 latrines. Compounding these issues, irregular power supply is disrupting water pumping. To mitigate the crisis, humanitarian partners plan to provide clean water, emergency sanitation, and hygiene support to one million vulnerable earthquake victims before the situation escalates.
Emergency shelter, cash assistance, safe drinking water, sanitation assistance, food, and healthcare are immediate needs for people affected by the earthquake. Rapid recovery efforts to restore livelihoods, education, and basic infrastructure are also critical, according to the Myanmar Earthquake Response Situation Report No. 3 by UNOCHA Myanmar.
On March 28, Myanmar was struck by a disastrous earthquake, and three weeks later, the most severely affected communities still lack access to safe shelter, clean water, sanitation access, stable electricity, healthcare, and other essential services, according to UNOCHA Myanmar.
NOCHA Myanmar also reported that the reconstruction of homes and recovery efforts following the recent earthquake have become increasingly difficult due to ongoing aftershocks.
The powerful earthquake on March 28 destroyed more than 40,000 homes, and currently, many families remain too afraid to return home, continuing to sleep in open fields, according to UNOCHA Myanmar.
Additionally, UNOCHA Myanmar stated that the number of people in need of shelter and basic household items has risen from 1 million to 5.2 million.
As of April 20, the earthquake had caused 3,735 deaths, 5,108 injuries, and 120 people were still missing, according to a report from the State Administration Council.