Cyclone-affected victims in WB to get UNICEF aid

South 24 Paraganas (WB), June 5 (ANI): The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), along with its partners, Ramakrishna Mission Lokshiksha Parishad, an NGO, is providing relief facilities for the cyclone-affected victims in South 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal.

They are trying to reach out to the affected men and women to provide pre-positioned emergency supplies that include water jerry cans, water purification tablets, food supplies and family hygiene kits.

"The UNICEF stands with the government and the people of West Bengal at this critical juncture. The UNICEF in partnership with Ramakrishna Mission and its cluster organisation is providing supplies with jerry cans, water purification tablets and family hygiene kits. We have been visiting places and are trying to support the government's IEC campaign to prevent any health epidemic to occur, " said Anil Gulati, communication officer, UNICEF.

Suraj Mondal, a villager said that the havoc caused by the cyclone had destroyed his house and is living in the hope of NGO's to provide basic facilities for his family to survive.

"At present, we are going through a very tough time. We had no food and water but with the help of Ramakrishna Mission, we are getting some help and because of which we are able to survive," said Mondal.

Cyclone Aila that originated over the Bay of Bengal on May 25 caused havoc in many parts of West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Millions of people in India and Bangladesh who have been temporarily displaced are in desperate need of water, food and adequate shelter after the cyclone Aila hit the region.

It is estimated that cyclone Aila killed at least 275 people and injured over 6,400 in India and Bangladesh.

In West Bengal, at least 5.1 million people were displaced, with about a million people stranded in Sundarbans region alone, most of them without any food or water.

Affected communities, mainly farmers and fishermen, have lost their livelihoods. Rice paddy fields have been contaminated with saline water, tens of thousands of poultry and livestock have een killed and fishing boats destroyed. (ANI)