United Nations Radio

The UN children's agency (UNICEF) says 700,000 children are in need of long-term aid in Myanmar due to the devastating effects of May's Cyclone Nargis.

The agency has launched an appeal for just over 90 million dollars which it says is needed for operations through to April 2009.

In Geneva, UNICEF Spokeswoman Veronique Taveau says the agency has a team at the moment in Myanmar assessing the situation:

"We are working with our partners from the UN and what we know is that the situation for the children in terms of malnutrition was already very high in Myanmar and the risk is that it's worsening because of the situation at the moment."

Ms. Taveau says UNICEF has already done an immunization campaign and is doing everything to avoid the risk of any epidemics.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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