The Typhoon that slammed the Philippines Friday is one of the deadliest in the country's history. The Philippine's Interior Secretary said, "all systems, all vestiges of modern living — communications, power, water — all are down."
The Philippines ranks among the world’s most disaster-prone countries due to its location on the typhoon belt and the Pacific earthquake rim – known as the “Ring of Fire.” With sustained winds reported at over 145 miles per hour, and significantly stronger gusts, Haiyan was the second category 5 typhoon to strike the Philippines this year.
City Comptroller John C. Liu says, “The destruction in the Philippines is still being assessed, but the reports are horrifying. New Yorkers are praying for the people of the Philippines and stand with them in this time of terrible need.”
Here are some organizations providing assistance in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan:
Red Cross volunteers throughout the region are reporting significant damage and a growing death toll, while the full extent of the devastation has yet to unfold since many areas are still inaccessible.
United Nations World Food Program
As a preliminary measure, 40 metric tons of fortified biscuits are due to be flown in from Dubai in the coming days. High Energy Biscuits are often provided in the early days of a crisis as they are light to transport and do not need cooking. WFP is also looking at a range of other food commodities to stabilize the nutrition situation and meet immediate food needs.
Emergency medical aid is underway and a relief team is deploying to the Philippines to help survivors of super Typhoon Haiyan – possibly the worst storm in the disaster-prone country’s history.
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.
There is currently almost no information coming from the worst-affected areas, as power lines, phone lines, and mobile towers have all been hit. However, there are some reports coming in of landslides, flash flooding, destroyed shelters, and missing persons.
While a massive relief operation is underway, the Philippine National Red Cross says its efforts are being hampered by looters looking for food and medical supplies.
