UN system responds to floods in Nicaragua

United Nations relief agencies are responding to humanitarian needs in Nicaragua after four weeks of heavy rains triggered mudslides and flooding, causing great damage in certain areas and creating an emergency.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have carried out assessment missions and are working in support of the country's Ministries of Health, Education, Agriculture and Family.

On Tuesday, Nicaragua's National Emergency Committee convened a meeting with representatives of the international community to present the situation and call for help. According to the Committee, more than 18,000 people in 54 communities have been affected, 25 have died and over 2,000 acres of crops have been damaged.