UN chief saddened by loss of life, destruction due to heavy rains in India, S East Asia

UN chief Antonio Guterres has expressed sadness at the lossof life, displacement of people and destruction of property due to the heavymonsoon rains in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar and said the world bodystands by to provide support if required.

Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Farhan Haq saidMonday according to UN’s humanitarian officials, heavy monsoon rains in Indiahave displaced more than one million people and claimed at least 44 lives.

   

National disaster response teams are carrying outsearch-and-rescue operations and some 20,000 people are sheltered in dozens ofrelief camps.

In southeast Nepal, recent heavy rainfall has reportedlykilled 67 people and displaced more than 16,500 households, Haq said, addingthat search-and-rescue operations have been stepped up, and food, water andtarpaulins are the most-needed items.

“The United Nations offers its condolences to theGovernment and people of both Nepal and India and stands by to provide supportif required,” Haq said.

A statement issued by the UN Spokesperson’s office said thatthe Secretary-General Guterres is “saddened by the loss of life, displacementof people and destruction of property due to the heavy monsoon rains andassociated flooding across South and South-East Asia, most notably in India,Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar.”

Extending his condolences and solidarity to the families ofthe victims, to the Governments and people of the affected countries and wishesthose injured a speedy recovery, Guterres said the United Nations stands readyto work with the authorities in the affected countries as they respond to thehumanitarian needs resulting from this ongoing monsoon season.

Monsoon flooding has also affected Myanmar, where 21,000people – many of whom have been affected by the conflict there – have beendisplaced in Kachin and Rakhine states.

The UN and its partners are working closely with local andnational organisations to help those in need, Haq added.

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