The agency says immediate action must be taken to increase the number of children being reached, in order for another wave of deaths to be avoided during the harsh winter months just around the corner. As many as 10,0000 could die of hunger, hypothermia and disease within coming weeks.
UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman, says,"The relief effort is becoming more complex with each passing day," speaking from Copenhagen where she was visiting UNICEF's global supply warehouse.
"Temperatures have dropped and weather conditions are getting worse," she adds. "Access to affected areas has been badly affected as roads have become clogged with mud and people fleeing the mountains with their injured. Tens of thousands of children are at risk."
Veneman says, based on current estimates, even if tents and blankets were to arrive at each remote village immediately, children would still be at serious risk because of a lack of medical assistance and potable water, as well as rampant malnutrition.
"There is a significant threat of disease, with outbreaks of diarrhea already," says Veneman. "Given the intermittent shut-downs of the air corridor because of bad weather, the consequences for sick and injured children could be grave."
