How is the UN Assisting South and Southeast Asian Nations Facing Flooding and Landslides?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The UN is providing critical support to South and Southeast Asian nations facing flooding.
- Over 1,500 fatalities have been reported due to the natural disasters.
- Nearly 11 million individuals are affected, with extensive damage to infrastructure.
- Emergency aid includes food, hygiene products, and water supplies.
- Continued monitoring and recovery efforts are essential for the region's rehabilitation.
United Nations, Dec 5 (NationPress) The United Nations is actively aiding the governments of various nations in South and Southeast Asia as they grapple with the severe flooding and landslides that have reportedly claimed more than 1,500 lives and affected almost 11 million individuals, as stated by a UN spokesperson.
In Sri Lanka, the UN and its partners are providing continued support to the government’s response and evaluations, shared Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, during a daily briefing on Thursday.
He noted that in collaboration with local authorities, the UN and its humanitarian partners have distributed emergency aid, including food, hygiene products, kitchen supplies, and water tanks. Early recovery initiatives are also in progress, encompassing comprehensive damage assessments.
Regarding Vietnam, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher allocated $2.6 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund on Wednesday, aimed at enhancing assistance in the worst-affected provinces. This funding supports shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as food security measures to complement the government’s efforts, according to the spokesperson.
Dujarric pointed out that in Indonesia, the government’s response to the catastrophic flooding in Aceh is ongoing despite significant logistical and access challenges. The UN is partnering closely with the government to address logistics, health, water and sanitation, and is facilitating coordination with local entities.
The UN will maintain vigilant observation of the situation in the region and keep in close contact with national authorities, he stated.
Parts of South and Southeast Asia have experienced some of the most devastating flooding in years due to relentless rainfall exacerbated by a tropical cyclone. Countries like Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia are among those most severely impacted, facing record-breaking rainfall, storm surges, and widespread flooding, as reported by Xinhua.
Experts attribute these disasters to an unusual convergence of powerful weather systems, including Cyclones Ditwah and Senyar, coupled with a strengthened northeast monsoon.
Nearly 11 million individuals across the region have been affected, with approximately 1.2 million displaced into shelters, as roads, utilities, and agricultural lands have been washed away.