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Scenes of devastation in Metro Manila after tropical storm Ketsana.

Based on UNICEF's assessment as at 29 September 2009:

Shelter and Non-Food Relief Items (NFIs)

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) has reported that up to 374,890 persons (almost 75,000 families) are staying inside evacuation centres, but a further 234,658 persons (more than 40,000 families) are opting to stay outside the evacuation centres.
Tarpaulins and other NFIs have been provided to the Department of Social Welfare by various organisations.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

Access to water is a major issue in many of the areas affected where emergency standards need to be adhered to – 15 litres per person per day.
Where water is available, ensuring that it is potable water is of a major concern – for this relief distribution needs to include chlorine tablets and IEC materials for dissemination.
Sanitation is an area which requires special attention where in many of the Evacuation Centers the latrines have either been damaged by the floods or have been exhausted with the volume of people – systems of sanitary cleaning need to be established with the possible provision of temporary latrines (“portaloos”) where needed.
Hygiene promotion, messaging, and the distribution of hygiene kits is essential to maintaining cleanliness within the evacuation centers – distribution of soap (both hand washing and laundry).
Water quality test kits to check for microbiological contamination – to ensure water is potable.

Health

Many of the Medical centers have been adversely affected or overwhelmed by the needs where some do not have access to essential medicines – Interagency Health Kits will be provided.
Training and messaging on establishing a surveillance system needs to be set up.
Training on early detection of dengue, measles, diarrhea, pneumonia symptoms is important.
Measles could be a problem and rates for FIC (fully immunised child) must be confirmed - Measles may be needed particularly in the poorer communities where immunisation rates are low.

Child Protection

There have been growing concerns on missing, unaccompanied and separated children as currently no formal registration system exists.
There has been increasing concerns on the impact of street and working children with some reported missing and many with further health complications.
The overall impact on the psychosocial well-being of children affected is becoming evident with increased anger and violence within affected areas. It has also been noted that there is an increased vulnerability to trafficking and CSEC particularly in the urban areas.

Education

Overall information management a concern where there is a need to have information of accessibility of disaster-stricken areas and evacuation centers, additionally information related to schools that are unaccounted in Department of Education’s reporting (e.g. private schools).
School packs will be needed for children returning to school.
Cleaning of schools including sanitation of toilets recommended.
Teaching / Learning materials / classroom rehabilitation may be required.

Philippines Children's Floods Appeal

UNICEF Philippines

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