UNICEF sends emergency supplies to flood affected areas in Central Luzon
“I'm impressed by the effective organisation of many local government workers alongside NGOs and private sector. Supplies are getting through but we need to be vigilant to monitor childhood diseases as well as getting schools reopened and getting children back to learning,” said UNICEF Country Representative Vanessa Tobin as they visited flooded areas in Bulacan and Pampanga. With communication and power lines down and access to flooded areas difficult, food, emergency shelter, medical supplies, water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) and non-food items are the most urgent needs. UNICEF distributed water kits composed of water containers, pails and water purification tablets, and hygiene kits composed of water jugs, nail cutters, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, sanitary napkins and malong. “Large areas of stagnant water are a danger in many ways: risks of dengue, risks of diarrhea and other infectious diseases are a big threat to young children,’ said Tobin. UNICEF is participating in a joint needs assessment today (Thursday) with the government to better assess the nutrition and water and sanitation needs of families affect by the floods. The agency also plans to conduct a rapid needs assessment in Region 2, to further understand the situation of children and women in Cagayan and Isabela. The UN children’s agency is in close coordination with the government and emergency response groups to provide basic supplies and services. Typhoon Nalgae, locally known as Quiel, hit the Philippines on 1 October and traced its path over the devastation left by Typhoon Nesat (locally known as Pedring) on 28 September across northern and central Luzon. Sixteen provinces were affected by Typhoon Nalgae in four Regions, which were hit four days earlier by Typhoon Nesat (Pedring) that affected 34 Provinces. The eight hardest hit areas by Typhoon Nalgae were Bulacan, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Ifugao, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Quirino and Aurora Provinces. Around 1.5 million children are affected by both typhoons. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported a total of 59 typhoon related deaths this past week, four deaths from Typhoon Nalgae and 55 deaths from Typhoon Nesat, as of 4 October. Flood waters have receded in the majority of the typhoon affected areas. However, isolated areas due to floods remain in Bulacan and Pangasinan Provinces that were hardest hit by Typhoon Nalgae on 1 October. In Bulacan Province, NDRRMC confirmed that four Municipalities remain under water including Calumpit (29 Barangay), Hagonoy (26 Barangay), Pulilan (4 Barangay) and Paombong (14 Barangay). For latest updates on UNICEF’s emergency response, go to www.unicef.ph
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