UNICEF Executive Director Anthony has warned that a humanitarian crisis is looming for the children of Nepal.

Issuing a statement on Saturday, Lake said that natural devastation following the earthquake and political conflict are compounding the misery for Nepal’s children.

“The declining stocks of gas, food and medicines, together with the closure of schools due to political strife in the Terai plains and shortages of fuel throughout the country, are not only inflicting damage to the lives of the children now – they threaten the future of the country itself,” Lake said.

 The Unicef chief warned about the shortages of medicines impacting the capacity to deal with diseases like pneumonia over the coming cold months.  “A new humanitarian crisis may loom,” he said.

Lake appealed to all involved to “think not only of the coming winter, but of the longer term future as well.”

He also expressed concerned about children being out of the school in the country’s south.

 “When the doors of the schools are closed on children, they close also to their dreams and ambitions. And thus to the futures of their families, their communities and their nation,” Lake said.