Over 1,000 health facilities destroyed or damaged: UNICEF vaccines cold chain equipment arrives in country

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TEHRAN, 19 April 2019 - 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.

Notes to editors

Contributions made into accounts recently established for the flood response will allow UNICEF to procure essential supplies from our overseas supply hubs and transport them into Iran. Donations can be made here.

For more information about UNICEF Iran and our work for children, visit: www.unicef.org/iran

Follow UNICEF Iran on Twitter, Instagram and facebook

Media Contacts

Juliette Touma

UNICEF Amman

Tel: +962 79 867 4628

Email: jtouma@unicef.org

Bahareh Yeganehfar

UNICEF Iran

Tel: +98-912 1059106

Email: byeganehfar@unicef.org