UNICEF Commences Technical Assessment, Interventions In Flood Affected Communities In Anambra

With a tour of affected communities in Anambra State, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has commenced technical assessment of damages done to some water and sanitation facilities in public schools, markets, primary healthcare centers and other public places during the 2022 flooding.

While some water facilities are undergoing repairs by UNICEF Local Area Mechanics to provide portable water to the affected communities, other sanitation facilities will be repaired after the assessment tour.

Joined in the assessment tour also aimed at preventing open defecation and cholera outbreak in the affected areas were officials of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, RUWASSA, and other technical partners.

Speaking to newsmen, a technical partner to UNICEF, Sir Mike Onyemelukwe, commended UNICEF and Anambra State Government for their efforts in ameliorating the plights of flood-affected persons in the state.

In her remark, a resource person supporting RUWASSA in flood-affected places, Mrs. Oluchi Nwankwo, said that a total of eighty-three facilities in seven local government areas of the state were adversely affected by the 2022 flooding.

Noting that the assessment of the facilities and eventual repairs will make it possible for students to continue to learn under conducive environment, as well as help to ensure safety of lives of users of such facilities.

A third-party consultant to UNICEF, Engineer Chinelo Ezema, also explained that open defecation and cholera can be prevented if the facilities required are provided, adding that donor agencies are usually interested in the affairs of women and children.