United States (EFE).- United Nations Women reported on Friday that approximately 157,050 women and girls in the Nepalese districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot have been directly or indirectly affected by Wednesday’s floods. These individuals now face an increased risk of violence, exploitation, and trafficking.
In a statement, the organization warned that women and girls are at «heightened risks of violence and exploitation,» as well as difficulties accessing food, water, healthcare, and protection services.
«What we do know is that existing risks for women and girls skyrocket when disasters hit,» said Patricia Fernandez-Pacheco, UN Women’s representative in Nepal, in the statement. She noted that women also shoulder a greater burden of unpaid care work and face greater difficulties in accessing information and assistance.
She added that in the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan, approximately one in three women is illiterate, which makes it difficult for them to access information about aid, registration processes, and applying for assistance independently.
Furthermore, a woman heads one in three households in Nepal’s Bagmati Province, and one-third of those households depend on remittances, a source of income that is currently under pressure.
The agency stated that it is collaborating with the Nepalese government and other humanitarian organizations to provide women and girls with access to essential services and protection. The agency also aims to ensure their participation in recovery efforts.
UN Women is calling for 2 million dollars to assist those affected. Part of the funds will go toward a community kitchen initiative managed by women that will provide emergency food and create employment opportunities and opportunities for women to participate in the recovery.
As of Friday, Nepalese authorities increased the number of missing individuals to 1,924 by adding over 933 hydroelectric power plant workers, over 100 security force and customs personnel members, and 622 tourists, 473 foreigners, and 149 Nepalese living abroad to the tally.
Nepal has reported that 579 bodies have been recovered. Meanwhile, China has raised the death toll on the Tibetan side to five, bringing the total to 584. There is no evidence of coordination between the two sides to verify the figures.EFE
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