Super Typhoon Haiyan strikes the Philippines

One of the most powerful typhoons ever to hit land has torn across the Philippines, with possibly hundreds of people dead and towns flattened. The destruction is on a massive scale with a UN official comparing the disaster to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. ChildFund workers are on the ground assessing the damage and providing emergency relief, including safe spaces for children.  Please donate to help thousands of children and their families who`ve lost everything in this disaster.

Super Typhoon Haiyan – one of the most powerful typhoons ever to hit land – has torn across the Philippines, lashing the islands of Leyte and Samar with 275kph winds and 5-6m waves before moving across the northern tip of Cebu province.

At least 100 people have been killed – with early estimates this could rise to over 1,000 – homes are flattened and thousands of people are taking shelter in evacuation centres. More than 17 million people could be affected by the storm, which is now heading towards Vietnam.

ChildFund is responding in partnership with the Government, our local partners and other NGOs. Emergency response teams have readied supplies, including emergency kits and tents, and made arrangements with local suppliers to access food and other relief items.

ChildFund Philippines country director Katherine Manik says: “In the areas that ChildFund Philippines operates it is estimated 10,000 children who are enrolled in our sponsorship programs have been affected. The first response is child protection (safe spaces for children) and direct response (food, water and shelter). The needs of children in emergencies are urgent, literally everything is gone. We are now worried about floods and landslides in the coming days. We are responding.”

ChildFund Australia CEO Nigel Spence says: “ChildFund Australia has committed Project Humanity funds to provide immediate assistance for affected children and their families. More funds are urgently needed to help provide food, water and shelter. We are also preparing for the set-up of Child-Centred Spaces in the storm`s aftermath so that children will have a safe haven.”