Up to 4.5 Million Children Affected by Typhoon Koppu in the Philippines, Warns Save the Children

FAIRFIELD, Conn., Oct. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Save the Children is warning that up to 4.5 million children in the Philippines will be impacted by Typhoon Koppu, which has flattened houses, toppled power lines and forced thousands of people from their homes. The aid agency also warns that there may have been extensive damage to plantations of bananas, coconuts, rice and corn in the worst affected areas.

Save the Children's country director in the Philippines Ned Olney said: "We are extremely concerned for the welfare of children affected by the storm.  From our own experience responding to other storms in the Philippines we know that children are always the most vulnerable in a disaster, so in the coming days we will determine what support they will need."

Save the Children has emergency supplies in place to get to those affected, if necessary. It has three main warehouses across the country—one in Luzon, one in Visayas and one in Mindanao—that are stocked with emergency relief items such as tarpaulins that can serve as emergency shelter, basic household items, hygiene items and water kits.

Save the Children spokespeople, including the organization's country director in the Philippines, Ned Olney, are available for interviews via Skype and telephone from Manila. Please contact Ajla Grozdanic at [email protected] or 202.251.5859 for more information and to schedule an interview.

To learn more and how to help, go to www.savethechildren.org/philippines.

Note to Editors

The social welfare department of the Philippines has estimated that 7.5 million people will be affected by Typhoon Koppu, approximately 4.5 million of which are children.

Save the Children gives children in the United States and around the world a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We invest in childhood — every day, in times of crisis and for our future. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contact

Ajla Grozdanic, [email protected], 202.251.5859

SOURCE Save the Children

Related Links

http://www.savethechildren.org