READERS will have seen the terrible images of children suffering in the aftermath of the cyclone which devastated the Indian state of Orissa recently.

UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, was one of the first agencies to start distributing emergency supplies and we are appealing for people to support this vital work.

Contamination of water supplies by floods means there is a very real threat of disease, including diarrhoea and gastro enteritis.

If supplies of food, medicines and shelter materials are not brought to those in most need, we fear that children will begin to die.

UNICEF has already distributed thousands of pounds of supplies, including sheeting, tarpaulins, oral rehydration salts, purification tablets and bleaching powder to clean wells and water pumps.

In addition we have set up mobile health teams and have provided equipment to start pumping dirty water out of tubewells.

We urgently require funds to continue this work, and teach more people who have been cut off.

Just £33.60 will enable us to provide 70 bottles of chlorination tablets to safeguard water supplies. Donations can be sent to UNICEF Orissa Appeal, North West Regional Officer, Room OR, 53 Lyme Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire SK7 6LH.

KIM BOHAJCZUK, UNICEF North West Regional Officer.

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