ChildFund launches Philippines Flood Emergency Appeal

ChildFund Australia has today launched an emergency appeal for children and families affected by severe flooding in the Philippines. A State of Emergency has been declared in parts of the Philippines – mainly in and around the capital, Manila – where monsoon rains, intensified by a series of typhoons, have brought extreme levels of rainfall.

So far 92 people have been killed and over a million displaced. Almost 3,000 homes have been completely destroyed and families have taken temporary shelter in evacuation centres. Cases of fever and diarrhoea have been detected.

ChildFund has already begun providing relief supplies and will continue to support affected children and families until the crisis is over. We are urgently calling for

• Food and clean water
• First aid kits
• Hygiene kits containing such items as: toothpaste and toothbrushes, sanitary napkins, nappies, detergent, bar and dishwashing soap, shampoo and mosquito repellent
• Materials to temporarily repair damaged homes and restore livelihoods
• Child Centred Spaces in evacuation centres with educational and play activities for children
• School supplies

ChildFund Australia CEO Nigel Spence says: “Many places have reported waist-deep water levels. Thankfully in some areas, floodwaters have begun to recede but many locations are still submerged.

“Our priority is to ensure children are protected, both physically and emotionally. Child Centred Spaces help to provide some sense of normalcy for children who are currently taking shelter in evacuation centres, giving them a safe space to play and continue their education.

“With so many children and families in need of urgent assistance, we are asking Australians to help by donating to our emergency appeal.”

You can help now by donating to our Philippines Flood Emergency Appeal. Please call 1800 023 600 to speak to one of our Supporter Relations team.

NOTE TO OUR SPONSORS: For those Australians who sponsor children in the Philippines through ChildFund, we can report that a number of sponsored children have been affected, however, individual information on sponsored children and their families cannot be supplied at this stage as staff are busy helping those affected. We will continue to post updates on our website and Facebook page as information comes to hand and appreciate your patience.

Photo: Flood victims crowd a sports complex turned evacuation centre after flooding in Quezon City, Metro Manila [credit: Reuters/Cheryl Ravelo, courtesy the Thomson Reuters Foundation – AlertNet]