TEHRAN –Following the destructive floods that hit Sistan-Baluchestan province in February, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has been actively engaged in providing essential aid to the affected communities mainly women and children. 

Funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), UNICEF procured 2900 essential hygiene packs including 2000 household hygiene kits, 300 baby kits, 500 Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) kits, and 100 incontinence kits to prevent disease outbreaks and promote children’s overall well-being, the UNICEF website reported on April 30.

The recent resumption of heavy rainfall in April has further exacerbated the situation, underscoring the urgency of humanitarian assistance.

UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and the Ministry of Energy, prioritized the provision of safe water and sanitation services to households and communities affected by the disaster to ensure that children and families stay safe and healthy.

UNICEF has also delivered ten water tankers and over 3 tons of perchroline powder to the affected areas, ensuring access to safe drinking water. This has also been materialized through generous funding of ECHO.

As part of UNICEF’s humanitarian response to the flood-affected communities in Sistan-Baluchestan, children and families in the affected villages of Dashtiari district will receive 2900 hygiene packs. 

Looking ahead, UNICEF plans to mobilize more funds, towards the flood response in Iran, to provide specialized water disinfection and water quality testing equipment. 

The focus will be on Dashtiari, Konarak, and Chabahar regions that lack access to safe drinking water.

Recent services

The UNICEF supported the delivery of 564,000 doses of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) for the prevention of pneumococcal-related infections and deaths among children in Iran.

The measure was adopted in support of the introduction of PCV in the national childhood immunization program in the country, the UNICEF website reported on March 17.

The consignment was the first shipment of PCV to the country, using Iran's financial resources left over from the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, and delivered in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran, through UNICEF procurement services.

The shipment arrived from India and landed at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport on March 17.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Education intends to introduce two new vaccines into the national childhood immunization program namely, PCV and Rotavirus vaccine.

UNICEF will support the Ministry of Health throughout the introduction and delivery phases of these two new vaccines targeting pneumonia and diarrhea among children, the two infections that cause substantial childhood illness and deaths. 

UNICEF Representative in Iran, Robin Nandy said, “This is an important first step in the introduction of two essential vaccines that were missing from the immunization schedule and will address childhood pneumonia and diarrhea, the two most important illnesses we see in children. UNICEF is pleased to play a role in the introduction of these vaccines along with key partners like WHO and the Gavi Secretariat”.

On January 27, the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, and the UNICEF signed a memorandum of understanding to develop an innovation ecosystem for children and adolescents in the country.

The MOU was signed by Amir-Hossein Mirabadi, an official with the Vice Presidency, and Nandy, IRNA reported.

Moreover, UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education has provided eight prefabricated healthcare rooms to address health challenges in quake-hit villages in Khoy County.

The main objective is to provide uninterrupted primary medical care for the affected children and their families, according to a press release by the UNICEF website on January 23.

MT/MG