UNICEF: Rebuilding lives in flood-affected Bihar

BIHAR, India, 19 Oct 2007 -- Remote Sarainyan Village is flanked by embankments designed to keep the waters of the Budhi Gandak River from flowing into the surrounding fields. During the recent monsoon, however, these embankments had an extremely negative effect. They stopped the flood water from draining back into the river -- leaving it to stagnate in the fields and marooning the displaced residents.

The disaster has caused a variety of health problems in the community. Many adults gave up their food in order to allow children to eat. In addition, the flood waters have caused serious sanitation problems.

In situations like these, children are particularly at-risk. Many youths have suffered from skin ailments and diarrhoea. UNICEF is helping children by providing mothers of newborn babies with family hygiene kits and instructions on how to avoid infections.

To read the full story, visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/