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Philippines: UN working around the clock to reach thousands affected by typhoon

10 November 2013 – United Nations agencies are working closely with the Government of the Philippines to reach those affected by the super typhoon Haiyan, as the number of reported casualties continues to rise and access remains a challenge in many areas.

"UN emergency response teams arrived in Tacloban city within 12 hours of the disaster. Specialist teams from member states and humanitarian agencies are committed and mobilized, and making their way to the Philipppines," said Luiza Carvalho, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Philippines. "They are pooling resources, food and non-food items to assist the most vulnerable people."

The Government in partnership with Member States has mobilized search and rescue efforts and continue to clear main roads, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. Relief efforts involve creating a pipeline of aid and goods distribution with deployment of relief specialists and logistic support.

However, unknown numbers of survivors do not have basic necessities such as food, water and medicines and remain inaccessible for relief operations, as roads, airports and bridges were destroyed or covered in wreckage.

"It is vital that we reach those who are stranded in isolated areas as they are at risk of further threats such as malnutrition, exposure to bad weather and unsafe drinking water," Ms. Carvalho said.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), the storm has affected some 4.5 million people, with at lest 478,000 displaced and 10,000 feared dead. These numbers are likely to increase in the coming days as assessments continue.

"The main challenges right now are related to logistics," said WFP Representative Praveen Agrawal. "Roads are blocked, airports are destroyed [...] WFP is working with the Government to set up operational hubs and organize airlifts of essential supplies."

The agency said it is in the process of flying food, logistics and communication equipment to Cebu airport, which will become a key hub for subsequent airlift through Government partners to Tacloban.

Meanwhile, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has indicated that up to 4 million children could now be affected – up from the 1.9 million estimated yesterday.

"We are rushing to get critical supplies to children who are bearing the brunt of this crisis," said UNICEF Philippines Representative Tomoo Hozumi. "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."

Therapeutic food for children, health kits, water and hygiene kits to support up to 3,000 families in the affected areas have already been mobilized from supplies available in the country, with distribution prioritized for the Tacloban area as soon as access is possible.

UNICEF's warehouse in Copenhagen is airlifting $1.3 million worth of additional supplies for another 10,000 families, including those affected by the recent earthquake in Bohol. The shipments contain water purification tablets, soap, medical kits, tarpaulins, and micronutrient supplements.

The agency said it is particularly concerned by children's health, due to the impact of the typhoon on water supply and sanitation systems.

"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 Mr. Hozumi. "UNICEF is doing all it can to reach these children, as quickly as possible with critical supplies, to protect their health, safety and well-being in the difficult days ahead."