UNICEF speeds up aid to ‘Yolanda’ victims, including 4M children

A mother and her children brave heavy rains as they head for an evacuation center amidst strong winds as Typhoon Haiyan pounded Cebu CitY. AFP FILE PHOTO

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is accelerating relief operations to the victims of monster typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan), including the four million
children affected by the disaster.

“We are rushing to get critical supplies to children who are bearing the brunt of this crisis,” said UNICEF Philippines Representative Tomoo Hozumi in a statement Wednesday.

“Reaching the worst affected areas is very difficult, with limited access due to the damage caused by the typhoon to infrastructure and communications. But we are working around the clock to find ways to get these supplies to children as quickly as conditions allow,” Hozumi said.

UNICEF is airlifting relief goods worth $1.3 million – water purification tablets, soap, medical kits, tarpaulins, and micronutrient supplements – to serve another 10,000 families that include those affected by the recent earthquake in Bohol.

UNICEF said children who have escaped the terrible damage of “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) needed urgent assistance to survive the aftermath of the storm.

UNICEF said particular concerns include health, due to the impact of the typhoon on water supply and sanitation systems. Also, children need safe and protected spaces to be able to play and resume studying while adults work to recover their homes and livelihoods.

“As we get a better picture of the impact of this devastating crisis, it is clear that even more children are affected than first thought,” said Hozumi. “UNICEF is doing all it can to reach these children, as quickly as possible with critical supplies, to protect their health, safety and wellbeing in the difficult days ahead.”

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