According to UNICEF, at least 94,000 children are currently living in areas severely affected by the earthquake
Terrible #earthquake in #Nepal. Just saved ourselves. Don't know how many killed. Roads are blocked already. pic.twitter.com/qsxITz0n1P
— Guna Raj Luitel (@gunaraj) April 25, 2015
Nearly 100,000 children in Nepal are in dire need of humanitarian assistance following the destructive earthquake, according to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
The UN agency has estimated that at least 94,000 children are currently living in areas severely affected by the earthquake which struck Nepal on Saturday.
The 7.9-magnitude earthquake and nearly 60 aftershocks in the past two days have caused vast devastation across the Himalayan nation. More than 3,600 deaths have been reported so far.
As rescue and relief operations pick up in the aftermath of the disaster, the death toll is expected to rise further. In a statement, the UN says that 35 of the 75 districts in Nepal have been affected by the earthquake.
The worst-hit districts are Dhading, Gorkha, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk, Kavre, Nuwakot, Dolakha, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Ramechhap.
Food, water supply hit According to UNICEF officials, water and food supplies are dwindling, power outages are increasing and communication networks are going dead.
Thousands of people are sleeping under the open sky because of the fear of fresh tremors. According to reports, heavy rains may hamper rescue and relief.
Vulnerability of children
Following the crisis, children have become particularly vulnerable as they have limited access to safe drinking water and sanitation. This will put them at risk of contracting water-borne diseases, UNICEF officials said.
The UN agency is mobilising staff and emergency supplies to meet the needs of children, by particularly focusing on water and sanitation, nutrition, education and child protection.
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