Concern for children and pregnant women in flood stricken Sri Lanka

Health officials in Sri Lanka are trying to protect pregnant women and young children from the effects of widespread flooding in the country. Many have been hospitalized in districts where rising waters have brought sewage into the streets.

It is hoped the measure will help slow infection rates and allow the most vulnerable to be treated quickly.

More than a million people have been affected by the rains, and 325,000 have been forced from their homes.

“There is a considerable relief effort underway”, says the Head of Communications at UNICEF Sri Lanka, Mervyn Fletcher.

He adds, the UN including UNICEF are “co-ordinating closely with the government there and in turn they are liasing with the Sri Lankan military … to get support and aid to the communities.”

The death toll from the flooding so far has risen to 23.

Listen to interview with Lydia O'Kane