UN Says 1 Million Burmese Children at Risk After Cyclone

缅甸风灾后可能会有百万儿童染病

　



A United Nations agency says that as many as one million children may be at risk of disease following Cyclone Nargis. The concerns come as efforts continue to persuade Burma's military government to grant greater access to international relief agencies.

　

联合国儿童基金会表示，由于纳尔吉斯强热带风暴的影响，缅甸可能会有多达一百万名儿童感染疾病。与此同时，国际社会继续努力说服缅甸军政府当局准许更多的国际救援组织进入灾区。

The United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, reports that tens of thousands of children are living outdoors, with little shelter from the monsoon rains.

　

联合国儿童基金会报告说，缅甸目前有成千上万的儿童露宿野外，缺少遮风避雨的设施。

Shantha Bloeman, a UNICEF spokeswoman in Thailand, says children make up 30 to 40 percent of the victims of Cyclone Nargis, which hit Burma, also known as Myanmar, two weeks ago.

　

联合国儿童基金会在泰国的发言人布罗曼说，纳尔吉斯风暴的受难者当中，儿童占百分之三十到百分之四十。纳尔吉斯风暴两个星期前袭击缅甸。

"The situation remains dire for children in Myanmar," said Bloeman. "Their physical and emotional well-being is of critical concern. Assessment reports indicate the destruction of homes, schools; water and sanitation systems are unrelenting threats to child survivors."

　

布罗曼说：“缅甸儿童的情况仍然很糟糕。他们的生理和心理状态最让人关切。评估报告指出，住宅、学校、饮水和卫生系统的毁坏，对幸存的这些儿童造成极大威胁。”

Bloeman said Friday the children face diseases such as cholera, and are vulnerable to exploitation and sexual abuse. Aid groups are trying to ensure that children remain with families or relatives to protect them.

　

布罗曼星期五说，缅甸儿童面临霍乱等疾病的威胁，而且可能被迫为奴或被卖为娼。救援组织现在正努力确保这些幸存的儿童能够和自己家人或亲戚住在一起，接受保护。

The United Nations says up to 2.5 million people were affected by cyclone - the worst natural disaster in Burma in recent times. The official death toll is more than 43,000, but aid organizations estimate it could reach 128,000.

　

联合国说，受到风暴影响的多达两百到两百五十万人，这是缅甸近年来最严重的一次自然灾害。缅甸官方公布的死亡人数为四万三千多人，但是救援机构估计，实际死亡人数恐怕要多达十二万八千人。

Pressure remains on Burma's military to allow international aid agencies greater access to the region to help survivors. A medical team from Thailand was due to arrive Friday to support relief efforts.

　

缅甸军政府目前继续面临著来自国际社会的压力，要求他们允许更多的国际援助机构进入灾区帮助幸存者。泰国一个医疗队计划星期五抵达缅甸，协助救援工作。

Steve Marshall, a spokesman for the U.N. country team in Burma, says that some aid is reaching the region, but it is insufficient. He says a much bigger international effort is needed.

　

联合国驻缅甸办事处发言人史帝夫.马歇尔表示，一部分援助物资正在抵达灾区，但是远远不够。灾区急需更多的国际援助。

"The issue of access in terms of our staff, as I've indicated, they are down there and they are working," said Marshall. "But the size of this for the government for the U.N. or for others actually requires a completely cooperative coordinated approach and it is too big for any one institution on its own to say it can look after things. It is simply too big."

　

马歇尔说，“就我们办事处的人员来说，他们已经在灾区，并且在参与救援工作了。但是这次灾害涉及的面太大了，因此缅甸政府，联合国，以及组织，各方面需要总体协调起来，单靠一个机构或者组织，是远远不够的。”

Aid workers estimate that they have been able to reach less than a third of the storm's victims.

　

国际救援人员估计，到目前为止，他们能够帮助的灾民不到总数的三分之一。

In the coming days, the U.N. humanitarian chief, John Holmes, will arrive in Rangoon to discuss relief efforts with the government. On Monday, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will meet in Singapore to discuss how to increase aid to Burma, which is a member.

　

在今后几天，联合国负责人道主义事务的副秘书长约翰.霍姆斯将抵达仰光，与缅甸政府讨论救援工作。下星期一，东盟将在新加坡举行会议，讨论如何加大对缅甸的援助。缅甸是东盟的成员国。