World Vision Appeals for Help to Meet the Significant Humanitarian Needs in the Philippines
UPDATED - 11 NOV. 2013
World Vision is scaling up response efforts as the death toll continues to climb in the Philippines following the devastating Super Typhoon Haiyan.
Some 10,000 people are reported dead with the number of recorded fatalities likely to rise as access improves and communications channels are restored. OCHA has released estimates that 9.5 million people across 9 regions have been impacted by the disaster
Twenty World Vision programming areas across nine provinces are affected by the disaster, with close to 40,000 sponsored children and their families are potentially impacted. Three assessment teams are working in affected areas in Bohol Province, Samar and Leyte Province, and Panay Island. Relief distributions are hoped to start tomorrow, Thursday 14th November.
"The greatest challenge for us is still clearing the roads, restoring power and water supplies for many of the displaced families who are experiencing such hardship," said Aaron Aspi, an Emergency Communications Officer with World Vision in Cebu, Philippines. "It's us against the clock as we try to provide them with the necessary aid that they need."
The key needs and relief response is expected to focus on:
- Water and sanitation
- Food
- Shelter
- Child protection and education
- Health and nutrition
- Psychosocial support
A relief flight with goods from Germany via Lufthansa arrived in Manila on Monday. Goods are being cleared and will be distributed including 5400 blankets and 3000 tarps. DFID have confirmed that they are allocating World Vision, 5,000 shelter kits to be deployed to response zones.
"Every minute counts in this response," said Josaias Dela Cruz, World Vision's National Director in the Philippines. "With the death toll rising and the extent of the damage still not fully known, we are doing everything we can to scale up as quickly as possible and begin bringing relief and hope to our country. This first shipment of emergency supplies will be tremendously helpful."