UN agencies bring assistance to flood-hit Indian state of Gujarat

United Nations agencies are providing aid to the Indian state of Gujarat, where the situation in several districts is reported to be critical after unprecedented heavy rains and flooding killed more than 130 people, led to the evacuation of half a million more, and affected power and water supplies to several thousand villages.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is assisting the state government by supplying emergency items such oral rehydration salts, a treatment for dehydration caused by diarrhoea, vomiting and heat exhaustion, and chlorine tablets for water purification.

UN World Health Organization (WHO) staff at field offices are monitoring the health and sanitation conditions in the affected districts. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA), whose concerns include reproductive health issues, is also monitoring the situation closely.