Emergency response to typhoon in Philippines

Plan has released US$100,000 of emergency funds to help children and families affected by the worst tropical storm to hit the Philippines in recent years.

Since Sunday, over 2 million people in metropolitan Manila and surrounding areas have been affected by severe floodwaters brought on by Typhoon Ondoy. Over 389,000 people are living in makeshift shelters and 246 people are confirmed dead.

Emergency funds are being used on immediate relief efforts including providing food, drinking water, blankets, clothing, mattresses and emergency shelters.

Heaviest flooding seen in 50 years

The typhoon has reportedly caused the heaviest rain the country has seen in 50 years, with several feet of water submerging Manila. Landslides in some areas have added to problems. Power was shut down as a safety measure and water supplies have also been affected. Concern is growing over the spread of disease due to problems with open defecation and the proper storage of bodies.

“The severity of the flooding has really caught everyone by surprise as the wind wasn’t that strong.” says Michael Diamond, Plan’s Country Director from Manila. “One minute the streets were dry; next minute, they were waist-deep in water. It rained for nine hours straight, it was quite extraordinary. I have never seen rain like it in all my years here.”

Further assistance needed as more rain expected

With over 40 years in the Philippines, Plan is on the ground with local staff and volunteers supporting urgent relief efforts to provide children and families with food, clean drinking water, blankets, clothing, mattresses and emergency shelters. Plan has deployed a team of staff to join the assessment in Rizal province, one of the hardest hit areas near the capital Manila, and is undertaking efforts to provide ongoing education services and stability to children affected by the disaster.

But with weather forecasts predicting more rain over the next few days, Plan is appealing for a further US$750,000 to support our education and disaster risk reduction support project for children and families living in the Rizal Province.


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