UNICEF aids children and families hit by Typhoons Kristine and Leon; residents brace for more storms

MANILA, 12 November 2024 – The back-to-back onslaught of Typhoons Kristine and Leon caused widespread damage in the Philippines, leaving thousands of families and children without access to safe water and sanitation facilities and disrupting classes for 20 million learners. 

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) and Super Typhoon Leon (Kong-rey), the 11th and 12th tropical cyclones to hit the country this year, devastated 13 regions and 29 provinces, affecting at least 4.2 million individuals – approximately 1.3 million children – and displacing more than 300,000.  

With Tropical Storms Marce (Yinxing) and Nika (Toraji) affecting almost the same areas over the weekend and a new weather system forming to be named Ofel (Man-Yi), the Philippine Government has intensified its response. Communities are preparing for the impact of more extreme weather events, which are exacerbated by the climate crisis.  

“We can’t emphasize enough the importance of lifesaving supplies during and after an emergency,” said UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov. “We are working with our partners to provide water, sanitation and hygiene supplies to affected families and children to ensure their access to critical measures against the spread of diseases.”  

The coverage of and access to basic water and sanitation services had been low in the affected areas even before the emergency. The impact of the severe typhoons has made the situation worse for communities, where instances of open defecation have been reported. 

Since 31 October, UNICEF and partners have delivered 2,950 hygiene kits and water kits to 2,950 families, out of the target 3,300 families, in the most affected areas in the provinces of Camarines Sur and Albay in the Bicol Region. In partnership with Action Against Hunger and Plan International Pilipinas, an additional 350 hygiene kits and water kits will be delivered to 350 families in the coming days.

In partnership with the Department of Education Schools Divisions of Camarines Sur and Albay, UNICEF will distribute education supplies to 14,594 learners and 765 teachers in 25 schools and five Community Development Centres. The affected learners and teachers will receive 3,261 teacher and student kits, 32 early childhood care and development kits, and 38 recreation kits. They will also receive 25 UNICEF School-in-a-Box kits, each containing supplies and materials to support one teacher and 40 students. 

The Department of Education estimates that at least 500 schools in the Bicol Region need assistance. 

“Ensuring that children’s learning is not disrupted is a priority for UNICEF,” said UNICEF Philippines Education Chief, Akihiro Fushimi. “UNICEF strongly urges that schools remain dedicated to education and not used as evacuation centres so that children continue to have a stable learning environment.”

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