Up to 1.7 Million Children Could Be Affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines

UNICEF ready to deliver lifesaving supplies to children in areas hit by the storm

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Nov 09, 2013, 03:40 ET

NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- UNICEF expects children to be among the worst affected by Typhoon Haiyan, which tore through the Philippines yesterday. While the full impact of the disaster is still being assessed, an estimated 1.7 million children are believed to be living in the areas hit by the emergency.

"With some 36 provinces reported by the government to have been hit by the typhoon—the strongest ever to have made landfall anywhere in the world—we know that a significant number of children will have been badly affected," said Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF's Representative in the Philippines.

"UNICEF's first priorities are focused on life-saving interventions—getting essential medicines, nutrition supplies, safe water and hygiene supplies to children and families," he stressed. "This is not the first natural disaster to strike the Philippines recently, following the earthquake in Bohol three weeks ago, so we know how vital it is to reach children quickly."

UNICEF will join a rapid assessment within the next days, as conditions allow more access to the hardest hit regions. The agency's supply systems are mobilized, and UNICEF is ready to help spearhead the response for children as access improves.

UNICEF staff in the Philippines is being repositioned to provide emergency aid, with more colleagues on the way to boost teams already on the ground.

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

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