Relief efforts underway in the Philippines

New Action-

From Save The Children:

Save the Children is assisting children and families who have survived the February 17 mudslides in the province of Southern Leyte, the Philippines.

The death toll stands at 84, and 982 residents are still unaccounted for and feared dead in the village of Guinsaugon. Hundreds of additional families either lost their homes or have been evacuated from nearby villages following the disaster.

Save the Children staff members are working with other humanitarian organizations and government officials in providing basic necessities including food, water, and clothing at evacuation centers set up in nearby churches and schools. We will distribute emergency kits to thousands of individuals who have been evacuated that include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bottled water and other essential items.

“Continued rains pose a challenge to the relief efforts,” said Rudy von Bernuth, who heads Save the Children USA’s emergency response efforts, “but the distribution of essential items for children and families affected by this disaster continues. We also remain vigilant of the risk to neighboring villages, where further mudslides or floods are possible due to the very heavy rains.”

Evacuation centers are now housing over 2,100 individuals, about a third of whom are children. Save the Children is particularly concerned about ensuring the safety and well-being of these children and is preparing to provide special assistance to them by creating safe play areas, which offer activities that help children cope in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

Conditions at the evacuation centers are difficult, with an inadequate number of latrines, no proper disposal of garbage and waste, inadequate supply of water for bathing and cleaning, and general overcrowding.

In addition, many schools in surrounding areas have closed or are being used as evacuation centers. Classes have been suspended, leaving even more children without a daily routine and sense of normalcy.

Please donate to support our relief efforts in the Philippines.