As part of the emergency humanitarian assistance to the States of Tabasco and Chiapas, the United Nations System in Mexico is already in the affected areas with the purpose of supporting the coordinated response to the contingency and work jointly with national and local authorities, international organizations and civil society.
The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Mexico, Arie Hoekman and the Chief of the UN Team for the Assessment and Disaster Coordination (UNDAC), Nidya Quiroz, are currently at the affected areas. The United Nations officials met in Villahermosa, capital of the State of Tabasco, with Laura Gurza, General Coordinator of Civil Protection, Andres Garnier Melo, governor of the State of Tabasco and authorities of the three levels of government.
Two expert missions in emergencies from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) are already in Tabasco and Chiapas, in order to identify the most urgent needs of children affected and immediately establish a program for emotional recovery through psycho-emotional and recreational support for children in emergency shelters, as well as to ensure that the shelters guarantee a safe and protected place under the best possible conditions for children. This UNICEF mission will also evaluate the current situation of the schools in order to ensure classes resume as promptly as possible.
Specialized consultants and the Representative of the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization in Mexico, accompanied by experts in the Humanitarian Supply Management System, the Regional Adviser on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management of Pan American Center for Sanitary Engineering (CEPIS) are also in the region to provide technical cooperation regarding the assessment of damage and needs, humanitarian supply management, environmental health and support in the response of the health needs.
A convoy of trucks from the World Food Program of the United Nations (WFP), with rations to feed 70.000 people for five days, part of an immediate response operation of $ 500.000 approved last Monday, was sent from the WFP's emergency center in El Salvador and is expected to reach Tabasco no later than Saturday. The rations of emergency food aid consist of biscuits with high nutritional value that do not require cooking. In addition to the food supply for emergencies, a specialized team of WFP will provide logistical support and conduct a rapid assessment of emergency needs.
"Mexico has been consistently generous with other countries over the years, as an international community we must do the same and show solidarity with the people of Tabasco," said Josette Sheeran Executive Director of WFP.
For further information: www.nacionesunidas.org.mx / emergenciamexico
Contact person:
Sharon Grobeisen
National Information Officer
UNIC
Tel. 52639728, sgrobeisen@un.org.mx