150,000 children affected by Lando

MANILA, Philippines - Humanitarian organization Save the Children has launched an emergency response in areas affected by Typhoon Lando and has committed to stay for three to six months.

In a statement, Ned Olney, country director of Save the Children Philippines, said since Typhoon Lando (international name Koppu) continues to put more children at risk, the humanitarian organization is “very concerned about their safety with severe flooding being reported.”

“We expect that the worst affected families will face prolonged stay in evacuation centers, and this raises our concern, considering such spaces are usually unsuitable for vulnerable children to live in for an extended period of time because of limited hygiene and sanitation facilities,” Olney added.

Yesterday, Save the Children launched an emergency response in various evacuation centers to help around 280,000 people, of whom more than 150,000 are children.

Funded by the United Kingdom, the children’s agency is targeting around 8,000 households in the worst affected locations and will prioritize emergency relief and shelter, education, health and child protection.

The country team is preparing 1,000 relief kits for dispatch to some of the worst affected areas in Aurora province, where Typhoon Lando made landfall.

“The children’s agency will be sending emergency supplies like tarpaulins to serve as emergency shelter; basic household kits containing kitchen utensils, mosquito nets and sleeping mats; water items, including water purification tablets, and household kits with soap, towels and toothbrush, for the most vulnerable families affected by the typhoon,” it added.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also expressed concern for children stranded in remote areas in the aftermath of Lando and has appealed for $2.8 million to replenish its supplies.

“UNICEF’s first priority is to ensure children are safe and protected. Following a typhoon, children face risks from contaminated water sources, lack of food, epidemics such as cholera, hypothermia, diarrhea and pneumonia,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander said. – With Janvic Mateo, Pia Lee-Brago