UN Says 1 Million Burmese Children at Risk After Cyclone (1/2)

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

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.

"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."

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.

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.

Pressure remains on Burma's military to allow international aid agencies greater access to the region to help survivors.

参考译文：

联合国儿童基金会（UNICEF）报告称，缅甸目前有成千上万的儿童露宿野外，在季候风带来的降雨中几乎没有牺牲之所。

联合国儿童基金会在泰国的发言人布罗曼说，在纳尔吉斯风暴的受难者当中，儿童占到的比例高达百分之三十至百分之四十，这场风暴在两个星期前袭击了缅甸（Burma，又名为Myanmar）。

布罗曼说：“缅甸儿童的情况依然很糟糕。他们的身心状况最让人关切。评估报告表明，住宅、学校、饮水和卫生系统的毁坏毫无疑问威胁着儿童幸存者。”

布罗曼在周五时说，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儿童能够和自己家人或亲戚待在一起以保护他们。

联合国说，受到飓风影响的人多达两百五十万，这是缅甸近几年来最严重的一场自然灾害。缅甸官方公布的死亡人数为四万三千多人，但是援助组织估计这个数字将达十二万八千人。

多方仍给缅甸军方施压以促使其允许更多的国际援助机构进入当地帮助幸存者。

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