27 February 2005	Sunday	17 Muharram 1426

ISLAMABAD, Feb 26: Unicef has said it is coordinating delivery of relief supplies worth $160,000 to the rains- and snowfall- affected communities in southern and northern parts of the country.

A statement here on Saturday said estimations indicated that some 10,000 children were at risk of coughs, pneumonia and diarrhoea. However, assessment teams have reached the affected areas and relief deliveries were underway, it said.

In response to the humanitarian crises, the Unicef representative, Omar Abdi, said there was a need to move fast to relieve the distress of people in the severe weather conditions, especially children who were highly vulnerable to the sub-zero temperatures.

The UN body said it had procured a range of relief items to help the displaced families cope with conditions including family tents, blankets, woollen sweaters, food cartons, water purification tablets, soaps, health kits, tarpaulins, plastic buckets and water filters.

The coastal belt where thousands have been left homeless by widespread flooding due to collapse of dams, there has been a shortage of food and other supplies after the road link to the area was broken.