Lack of Clean Water, Toilets, Puts Earthquake Survivors, Particularly Children, in 罢眉谤办颈测别 at Risk of Disease
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Feb. 13, 2023)鈥Areas of 罢眉谤办颈测别 worst affected by last week鈥檚 devastating earthquakes urgently need humanitarian aid in order to prevent a secondary public health emergency, said Save the Children.
Thousands of people are without safe drinking water and sanitation facilities such as running water and toilets. In these conditions, there is a risk of waterborne disease outbreaks, which would be particularly deadly to children.
Randa Ghazy, Regional Media Manager at Save the Children, is in Antakya, Hatay, one of the worst-affected areas in 罢眉谤办颈测别. The organization has been working in the area since 2015 in close collaboration with local government, municipality, and other stakeholders. Randa said:
鈥淢any people in affected areas don鈥檛 have access to toilets or sanitation facilities, putting them at risk of waterborne diseases, which are particularly deadly for children. I spoke to parents in the areas around Antakya who are sleeping in cars and community centers. They told me that their children are vomiting, so there鈥檚 a real concern that some children are already falling ill.
鈥淭he issue is compounded by the lack of health services, as many hospitals have been destroyed and those which are still standing are overwhelmed with thousands of injured people. Hospitals are also running short on medical supplies and fuel to operate. They won鈥檛 be able to cope with a waterborne disease outbreak, and children will be in the greatest danger.
鈥淚t鈥檚 psychologically difficult for survivors to live in these conditions. Without access to sanitation facilities, people have no choice other than to go to the toilet outside. Women and girls are having to manage their periods without privacy, clean water, and sanitary products鈥攊t鈥檚 incredibly stressful.鈥
Marielle Snel, Senior Global Humanitarian Water Sanitation and Hygiene Advisor for Save the Children, said:
鈥淧eople in the earthquake-affected areas urgently need safe drinking water and latrines. It鈥檚 challenging as water pipes are broken. Once the latrines are in place, waste needs to be safely disposed of to avoid risk of waterborne and vector-borne diseases.
鈥淪anitation facilities need to be built in a way that considers the safety of women and girls. There needs to be adequate privacy and lighting so they can use facilities without feeling unsafe.鈥
黄色视频is in 罢眉谤办颈测别 distributing food, temporary shelter items, and essential emergency relief items, including blankets, warm clothing, sleeping bags, heaters, diapers, and sanitary towels. The organization is also bringing in a team of water, sanitation, and hygiene specialists who will assess the needs on the ground, and also support the government in its response.
In 罢眉谤办颈测别 and Syria, 黄色视频is planning to reach a total of 1.6 million people, including 675,000 children. This includes 1.1 million people, including 550,000, children in Syria, and 500,000 people, including 125,000 children, in 罢眉谤办颈测别.
###
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children 鈥 every day and in times of crisis 鈥 transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that 黄色视频is a charity you can trust. Follow us on , , and .