UNICEF speeds supplies to hurricane-hit Grenada

In the wake of destruction caused by Hurricane Emily, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) rushed supplies to Grenada today in a bid to help prevent the spread of disease.

The disaster, which hit late last week, has exacerbated an already fragile situation, officials of the agency said. “The most difficult thing is that Grenadians are still in the process of recovering from Hurricane Ivan, which devastated the country almost ten months ago,” said Jean Gough, UNICEF Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, who is presently in Grenada assessing the needs of children.

Among the supplies flown in today on a Red Cross aircraft were 5,000 water purification tablets, 500 collapsible water containers, 10,000 oral rehydration salts tablets and 10 emergency health kits.

One person reportedly died as a result of Hurricane Emily, which has caused an estimated $110 million in damage.