Nearly 1 million children affected by massive floods in Iran

Devastating flooding in three quarters of Iran’s provinces has affected 10 million people, of whom 2 million are severely impacted and 500,000 displaced – half of them are children. Over 1,000 health facilities and 1,000 schools have been destroyed or severely damaged forcing 100,000 children out of school and depriving thousands of essential healthcare.
 
UNICEF’s vaccine cold chain equipment, including 200 vaccine carriers and 100 cold boxes, arrived in-country last night. The equipment will help restore essential immunization services for children in affected provinces and prevent the spread of diseases. Eighty vaccine refrigerators have also been dispatched.
 
The needs of flood-affected children in Iran are getting more acute by the day and more supplies are urgently needed.  
 
To provide emergency assistance to flood-affected children in Iran, UNICEF has appealed for US$9.8 million. To date, UNICEF is facing a US$8 million funding gap. Additional child health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene supplies will be purchased once funding is secured.