Typhoon Hagupit rekindles tragic memories from 13 months ago
Fast Facts:
- 616,500 people have voluntarily evacuated
- 49 evacuation centres in Tacloban alone are housing 30,000+
- World Vision ready with emergency relief items for 55,000 in storm's wake
- Eye of storm expected to make landfall tonight
06 Dec 2014
TACLOBAN - As typhoon Hagupit approaches with fierce howling winds, residents of Tacloban know too well the impact of a fierce storm. In Tacloban alone, there are 49 evacuation centres filled with more than 30,700 people. Across the region of Haiyan-affected communities, more than 616,500 people have voluntarily evacuated to safer areas.
Pregnant women due in the next two weeks have been advised not to go to the evacuation centres, but some mothers refuse to leave their families at this critical time. Already there are reports of two women giving birth in evacuation centres in Tacloban alone.
World Vision has been preparing in advance, ensuring that emergency food, hygiene kits and general emergency items are ready for fast response – enough to provide about 55,000 of the most vulnerable in the wake of the storm.
World Vision Response Director Andrew Rosauer said that people have been appropriately cautious, taking storm warnings seriously.
“Typhoon Hagupit has rekindled tragic memories from last year,” Mr Rosauer said about the people evacuated from the most dangerous areas in Tacloban. “Storm warnings were communicated well in advance, and people began packing their necessities and swiftly moving their loved ones off to relatives’ houses, churches or the designated evacuation centres.” he says.
Although the typhoon hasn’t made landfall yet, violent winds are thrashing Tacloban, sending roofs flying and causing power outages.
-ends-
For interviews with Andrew Rosauer, please contact:
Rhonda Hirst
Media Specialist
World Vision Typhoon Haiyan Response
+63 916 735 5061
rhonda_hirst@wvi.org
Cecil Laguardia
Communications Manager
World Vision Typhoon Haiyan Response
cecil_laguardia@wvi.org