Child rights group deploys team to Isabela

MANILA, Philippines — Child rights group Save the Children Philippines has deployed a five-member humanitarian team in Santiago, Isabela to conduct early assessment of the possible impact of Typhoon Ompong on affected residents.

According to Albert Muyot, the group’s chief executive officer, they are deeply worried about the health and welfare of children and lactating mothers who might have been affected by Ompong.

“Children and lactating mothers are the most vulnerable and should be the primary concern during natural calamities. Their safety and health should be attended to at all times,” he said.

Muyot has echoed calls for the families living in the path of the storm to take shelter in evacuation centers.

“We haven’t seen a typhoon this powerful hit the Philippines in some time. We’re particularly concerned about children and families living in coastal and low-lying communities, which are set to face ferocious winds, heavy rainfall and flooding, as well as the risk of storm surge,” he noted.

The group said it has pre-positioned stockpiles of aid in strategic locations across the Philippines, including more than 10,000 household kits, hygiene and plastic sheets as well as 8,500 water kits, 5,500 back to school kits, 21 temporary learning space kits, 500 new born kits, beacon boxes, among others.

A water treatment facility is likewise available to provide access to clean water for the affected population.

Muyot maintained they will also be on the look out for communicable diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, diarrhea and measles that may spread in the evacuation centers.

“Save the Children has a long history of responding to typhoons and other disasters in the Philippines, and our team stands ready to respond once again. Depending on the extent of the damage, a major humanitarian response may be required,” he added.