ADDIS ABABA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rainfall in Ethiopia's northeastern Afar region has impacted more than 300,000 people, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
The UNICEF in its latest Ethiopia humanitarian situation report released Wednesday said heavy rainfall-induced flooding in the Afar region earlier this year affected several hundred thousand people and worsened the spread of ongoing communicable disease outbreaks, including measles and dengue fever.
"Flooding has impacted the operations of dozens of schools and health facilities, as well as more than 20 water schemes in the region, limiting the ability of communities to access education services, primary healthcare and safe drinking water," UNICEF said. "Additionally, flooding likely exacerbated the spread of ongoing communicable disease outbreaks in the Afar region, including measles and dengue fever, the latter having affected more than 4,000 people as of the end of May."
The UNICEF report also disclosed only 19 percent of its 674.3 million U.S. dollars Humanitarian Action for Children 2023 appeal has so far been met.
The UN agency further said it needs the funds, in particular, to reach children and their families with critical lifesaving and life-sustaining support.
