UNICEF NZ (UN Children’s Fund)

Media Release

12 November 2013

UNICEF NZ Appeals for Support from New Zealand Companies for Response to Typhoon Haiyan

UNICEF NZ Emergency Appeal. Donate at: www.unicef.org.nz/philippines or call 0800 800 194

As the enormity of the impact of Typhoon Haiyan becomes clear, UNICEF NZ is appealing for urgent support from companies and workplaces based in New Zealand to help support the massive relief effort.

Dennis McKinlay, UNICEF NZ Executive Director said, “New Zealanders have been incredibly generous in giving individual donations to our appeal and we want to thank all those who have contributed so far in the space of only a couple of days.

“We are now extending our appeal to companies and workplaces in New Zealand to ask you to support our emergency response for children in the Philippines, whether through a donation, payroll giving or holding workplace events.”

Current estimates indicate that 9.8 million people could be affected by the disaster, including 4 million children. The Bohol earthquake of 15 October had already affected 3.2 million people, and others were displaced by internal conflict. Millions of lives are at risk and UNICEF is rushing supplies and additional teams to the Philippines.

Therapeutic food for children, health kits, water and hygiene kits to support families in the affected areas have already been mobilised from supplies available in the country, with distribution prioritised for the Tacloban area as soon as access is possible.

Mr McKinlay added, “The scale, urgency and complexity of this disaster means that our response will need to be significant. Children who have escaped the terrible devastation of Haiyan need urgent assistance to survive the aftermath of the storm.

“The impact of the typhoon on water supply and sanitation systems has raised particular concerns around the health of the affected population. Many children and families are without the basics like clean water, sanitation and food.

“We are rushing emergency supplies to the Philippines for rapid distribution to areas ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan but urgently need more support to ensure we can scale up our emergency response in the difficult days ahead.”

Reaching the worst affected areas remains very challenging. There is limited access due to the damage caused by the typhoon to infrastructure and communications. UNICEF is working around the clock to find ways to get supplies to children as quickly as conditions allow.

Leon Dominador Fajardo, a UNICEF Emergency Specialist, was in Tacloban City. He said “People, families with children are walking along the ruined roads,” he said. “I don’t know where they are going – there is nowhere to go. They are walking because their homes are gone and they have nowhere to go.” It took Leon an hour to get out of the airport because of the debris, with other colleagues stuck in the airport overnight.*

Supplies worth US1.3 million from UNICEF’s warehouse in Copenhagen are due to arrive in the Philippines today (Tuesday). This is enough for 10,000 families, including those affected by the recent earthquake in Bohol. The shipments contain water purification tablets, soap, medical kits, tarpaulins, and micronutrient supplements. 

Today IKEA Foundation also donated Euro 2 million to UNICEF to support relief efforts. Funds from the IKEA Foundation, UNICEF’s largest corporate partner, will help UNICEF to reach children and families as quickly as possible with critical water and sanitation supplies, to help protect their health and safety following the disaster.

Mr McKinlay added, “As a charity relying on public support, we urgently need donations in New Zealand to support UNICEF’s emergency relief effort. With huge supplies leaving our warehouses we need to be able to replenish those stocks and continue our support for children affected across the Philippines.”

New Zealanders can donate to UNICEF’s relief effort at www.unicef.org.nz/philippines or can call 0800 800 194.

Companies interested in finding out more about how to help UNICEF’s relief effort can contact Dennis McKinlay on 021 396 966 or email dennis@unicef.org.nz

Further updates to be made on the impact of Typhoon Haiyan as more information is available. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

ENDS

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