Kathmandu, September 1 :

The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Nepal, Matthew Kahane, visited flood-affected areas in Banke and Bardiya districts today. He “assessed the rapidly emerging humanitarian needs” there.

“The UN is assisting in the relief efforts and stands ready to extend further support if required,” he said in a statement. Thousands of flood victims are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, said the statement. “People urgently need basic necessaries like food, shelter, clothes, water and medicines,” he said in the statement issued after the tour.

“Priority should be given to surveillance of communicable diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid, viral hepatitis, skin diseases and malaria. Soon the affected people will need help to rebuild their lives, many have lost everything,” he said. Kahane lauded efforts being made by government, the Nepal Red Cross Society and international non-government organisations in extending assistance to the thousands of people affected by the floods.