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UN ready to aid storms-hit Mexico

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IANS United Nations

The UN humanitarian office is ready to assist Mexico if needed after nearly 100 people died in the wake of recent storms in the Latin American country, the UN spokesperson's office said here Thursday.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has received information from the Mexican authorities that at least 80 people have died and an estimated 60 people are still missing following landslides caused by Hurricane Ingrid and Tropical Storm Manuel," reported Xinhua citing the UN Office in a release.

"Hundreds of thousands of people are reportedly affected."

OCHA and the UN Country Team in Mexico "are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to assist, on request," the UN Office said.

 

The UN humanitarian office only renders necessary assistance if requested by the country concerned.

It's the first time since 1958 that two tropical storms have hit the country's coasts simultaneously, local meteorologists said, adding that heavy rains would be seen in some regions across the country.

The death toll from two devastating storms climbed to 97 in Mexico and at least 58 people were still missing after a landslide smashed a village in the south of the country, officials said Thursday.

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First Published: Sep 20 2013 | 7:10 AM IST

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