UNICEF on Hand as Typhoon Haiyan Hits the Philippines

9 November 2013
 
UNICEF on Hand as Typhoon Haiyan Hits the Philippines
 
Typhoon Haiyan, the world’s most powerful typhoon of the year, hit the Philippines on 8 November 2013, 4.30 am on Guiuan, Samar Island with winds of 235 kilometers per hour and 275 kilometer gusts. This is the 24th tropical cyclone to enter the Philippines in 2013.
 
The impact of the storm was severe as it made several landfalls to island groups within central Philippines. Substantial damage to infrastructure, flooding due to storm surges and at least three deaths are reported.
 
As in any natural or man-made disasters, children are among those who suffer the most. UNICEF is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared with prepositioned supplies to quickly respond to children’s needs for nutrition, water, sanitation & hygiene, education and protection. We have a team ready to be deployed to ascertain needs of affected children, together with government, UN agencies and NGO partners on the ground.
 
The Philippines government started preparing days before the typhoon and has mobilized its manpower and resources to move people in coastal and low lying areas to safety. Thousands of people who have lost their homes and have been displaced from the 7.2 earthquake in Bohol province in mid-October who were living in tents, were also evacuated by local officials. We commend the Government for preparedness measures they have taken to ensure safety for the people through the pathways of the massive typhoon.
 
UNICEF’s resources are stretched from responding to three emergencies in a row within two months in the Philippines: the armed conflict in Zamboanga on 9 September, the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol on 15 October and now super typhoon Haiyan on 8 November.
 
Earlier this week the New Zealand Government provided $850,000 in humanitarian assistance to the Philippines for response to October’s earthquake and flooding, with $500,000 of this to be delivered by UNICEF. This includes providing safe drinking water, hygiene kits, toilets, adequate nutrition, shelter, and a safe learning environment for children to recover from the impact of the earthquake.
 
UNICEF has had offices in the Philippines since 1948 and currently has 60 staff on the ground whose work includes disaster risk reduction, education, health, nutrition, providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene.
 
The population of the Philippines is approximately 94 million, with 40 million of the total population under 18 years old. 18% of people live below the extreme poverty line of US $1.25 a day.
 
Further updates to be made on the impact of Typhoon Haiyan as more information is available. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook
 
 UNICEF is a charity relying fully on voluntary support. Donations can be made to help our work with children in emergencies at: www.unicef.org.nz/EmergencyFund

ENDS

© Scoop Media