Children make up one-third of cyclone victims, says Unicef

Yangon: The United Nations Children's Fund, Unicef, estimates that one-third of the victims in Myanmar's deadly Cyclone Nargis could be children.

The aid agency made the announcement amid pleas for more funds in Geneva.

Pierrette Vu Thi, Deputy Director of Unicef's Office of Emergency Programs, says the victims include several thousands of children.

"A number of children have died," she said. "Many are separated from their families and injured and many are traumatized. We are still probably underestimating the impact and the gravity of the situation on the ground."

About 24 million people live in the five regions struck by Cyclone Nargis. The Irrawaddy Delta River area is the worst hit, with up to 95 percent of the population affected.

The Children's Fund is dispensing water purification tablets, bleaching drums and mosquito nets.

The World Health Organization is watching the rate of diseases such as Malaria in the area. The disease is prevalent in Myanmar and a pandemic from the left over stagnant water could be possible.

Dengue fever too is on the list. Cholera or chronic-diarrhea are serious concerns due to all the dirty water.

Unicef, unlike some other aid agencies, says Myanmar officials allow its aid staffers currently in the country to move freely, but in coordination with the government.

But some 100 UN aid workers are still waiting for visas to enter Myanmar, including 12 from Unicef. Some supplies are also not moving in freely.

Unicef is seeking $8.2 million in immediate money to distribute relief supplies, restore water and sanitation and create temporary schools for children.