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UN rings diarrhea outbreak alarm bell
KATHMANDU, APR 29 -
The Office of United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator has urged the government to adopt appropriate measures to control possible outbreak of diarrhoea in mid-and far west regions where 369 people died of it last year.
Stating that reports about waterborne diseases and subsequent deaths are on the rise in these regions, the UN body said it is observing the situation carefully.
“The humanitarian community urges that greater attention be paid to the causes of diarrhoea and trained staff and medical supplies are on hand to treat the cases immediately”, said the office in a statement on Thursday.
The coordinator’s office has pointed the need for “dramatic improvement” in the quality and quantity of water provided to local communities. It has also urged for proper disposal of human wastes and increased awareness about personal and community hygiene to contain the outbreak.
“Humanitarian agencies are undertaking social mobilisation on hygiene promotion and distribution of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), chlorine and soap in the areas affected by the outbreak last year,” said the office.
The United Nations Development Programme has funded drinking water and sanitation activities in 38 VDCs of Jajarkot, Achham and Dailekh benefiting 6,640 households and the United Nations Children’s Fund, with other humanitarian partners, has managed emergency water, sanitation and hygiene services to 100,000 people in these districts.
Posted on: 2010-04-30 07:53
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