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Nepal quake affects almost one million children: UNICEF

Nepal quake affects almost one million children: UNICEF

Almost one million children urgently need help after the earthquake in Nepal which has now claimed well over 4,000 lives, the UN children's agency said, as relief workers raced to help the most vulnerable.

disasters
By AFP

Tuesday 28 April 2015 10:01 AM


People search amidst the rubble of collapsed houses in Bhaktapur, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, on April 27, 2015, two days after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal. Nepalis started fleeing their devastated capital on April 27 after an earthquake killed more than 3,800 people and toppled entire streets, as the United Nations prepared a "massive" aid operation. AFP Photo by Prakash Mathema

People search amidst the rubble of collapsed houses in Bhaktapur, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, on April 27, 2015, two days after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal. Nepalis started fleeing their devastated capital on April 27 after an earthquake killed more than 3,800 people and toppled entire streets, as the United Nations prepared a "massive" aid operation. AFP Photo by Prakash Mathema

With thousands of children camping out in the open in the capital Kathmandu after their homes were destroyed in Saturday's (April 25) quake, UNICEF warned of the risk of disease.

"At least 940,000 children living in areas severely affected by (the) earthquake in Nepal are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance," it said in a statement.

"Limited access to safe water and sanitation will put children at great risk from waterborne diseases, while some children may have become separated from their families."

UNICEF said it was mobilising staff and sending two cargo flights with 120 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, including medical and hospital supplies, tents and blankets.

The 7.9-magnitude earthquake has devastated parts of the country, destroying buildings and ancient monuments and ripping apart roads, power lines and other infrastructure.