UNICEF Rushes Supplies to Hard-Hit Areas of Philippines

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Nov 10, 2013, 02:22 ET

Number of children affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan rises to 4 million

NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- UNICEF is racing to deliver emergency supplies to areas of the Philippines ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan on November 8, as the latest estimates indicate that as many as four million children could now be affected by the disaster.

Children who escaped Haiyan still need urgent assistance to survive in the aftermath of the storm. Health is an urgent priority due to the impact of the typhoon on water supplies and sanitation systems. Children also need safe and protected spaces to be able to play and continue their education while adults work to recover their homes and livelihoods.

UNICEF is mobilizing therapeutic food for children, as well as kits containing health, water and hygiene supplies, from stocks already available in the country, to support up to 3,000 families in the affected areas. As soon as access is possible, these supplies will be distributed to the hard-hit area of Tacloban.

"We are rushing to get critically needed 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."

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

"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."

How to help: For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution to UNICEF's relief efforts, please contact the U.S. Fund for UNICEF:
Website: www.unicefusa.org/philippines
Toll free: 1-800-FOR-KIDS
Text: RELIEF to 864233 (UNICEF) to donate $10
Mail: 125 Maiden Lane, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10038
As with any emergency, in the event that donations exceed anticipated needs, the U.S. Fund will redirect any excess funds to children in greatest need.
Find us on Twitter: @unicefusa, #Haiyan; join us on Facebook: UNICEF-USA

For b-roll and photos, please visit: http://weshare.unicef.org/mediaresources

About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to save and improve children's lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when zero children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF