Update on UNICEF's Philippines relief effort
Details on the situation in and around Manila below, but first: because of the increasing needs and potential for further destruction by storms headed for the northern Philippines right now, a generous U.S. Fund for UNICEF donor is matching all donations in support of UNICEF's relief and rehabilitation efforts up to $500,000 through October 6 -- please give now if you and can spread the word about this opportunity.
Details on the situation in and around Manila below, but first: because of the increasing needs and potential for further destruction by storms headed for the northern Philippines right now, a generous U.S. Fund for UNICEF donor is matching all donations in support of UNICEF's relief and rehabilitation efforts up to $500,000 through October 6 -- please give now if you and can spread the word about this opportunity.
Details on the situation in and around Manila below, but first: because of the increasing needs and potential for further destruction by storms headed for the northern Philippines right now, a generous U.S. Fund for UNICEF donor is matching all donations in support of UNICEF's relief and rehabilitation efforts up to $500,000 through October 6 -- please give now if you and can spread the word about this opportunity.
Over 600,000 Filipino families--an estimated 2.5 million people--have been affected by Typhoon Ketsana already. In an effort to ward off disease among the displaced, UNICEF is distributing:
- family kits containing cooking pots, blankets, water buckets, sleeping mats and soap;
- hygiene kits containing soap, toothpaste, slippers and towels;
- emergency health kits with drugs and equipment and water purification supplies.
Children's psychosocial health is also an issue in the aftermath of a disaster like this, and UNICEF is working to establish safe, child-friendly spaces within the evacuation centers for play and educational activities.
UNICEF is also prepositioning people and supplies to prepare for the coming typhoon Pepeng/Parma. Staff are on standby in North Luzon, and family kits ready to be distributed to those displaced. By current forecasts Manila is also set to receive heavy rains, further endangering those families whose homes were underwater only a week ago.
