Unicef or the UN children's fund has stated that fuel, food, medicines and vaccines in Nepal are already scarce. The shortages of these supplies may put three million infants in danger of death or even serious health conditions as the winter season approaches.
Because of the political issues originating in the south of the country, the situation had been aggravated for more than two months. A blockade was commanded by the ethnic communities infuriated by the newly implemented constitution in Nepal. The Madhesi communities stated that the new constitution is not a good representation of their people.
The blockade was created along the border in India and it began last September. It has genuinely targeted the import of supplies from India. As the importation process is done by land, it affects the most needed goods like food and medicines. The blockade is in full force even though Nepal is still staggering from the previous earthquakes that left the country shaken. It had a total casualty of 9,000 people.
It is taking a big toll on the country as 60% of Nepal's medicine is transported from India along with fuel, food and other goods. Though Nepal's government accused India of the debilitating status of the embargo, India denies this claim.
Unicef warns, according to BBC, that the supply of medicines are in a critical state. The vaccines and antibiotics are running short and the general concern here is that the children will be the ones to take the biggest blow. Even shots for tuberculosis are depleted in certain medical centers in the country.
"The risks of hypothermia and malnutrition, and the shortfall in life-saving medicines and vaccines, could be a potentially deadly combination for children this winter," Anthony Lake, the Unicef Executive Director, says in a statement.
"During my recent visit to Nepal, I witnessed first-hand the precarious living conditions of many of the earthquake survivors. They could now be facing a new disaster - without adequate food, protection from the cold, or healthcare."
