World Vision starts aid as dawn reveals typhoon’s devastation

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Dawn in the Philippines has revealed the extent of the devastation left in the wake of killer Typhoon Haiyan.

As the largest storm in three decades moved into the South China Sea, World Vision staff were assessing the impact of the typhoon, and setting to work helping 1.2 million of the people affected.

World Vision Philippines communications specialist Aaron Aspi said his team is faced with a mammoth task. “After all the rain and the wind we’ve experienced, our efforts are focused on relief and recovery,” Mr Aspi said as news came in of at least 100 dead. “Reports of casualties are starting to come in. These could rise as more reports of damage become available.”

Mr Aspi is working in Bohol, where a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit last month, leaving more than 220 people dead and many living in make-shift shelters.

“Here in Bohol, the area hardest hit during the quake last month, people are still afraid to go inside buildings," Mr Aspi said. "Despite urging by the government to go into evacuation centres, they are staying outside in makeshift structures and tents."

World Vision and local authorities are concerned the death toll will only rise as emergency services start to survey hard to reach areas cut-off in the storm.

Local reports said storm surges reached almost five metres, leading to flooding, while landslides are a concern in mountainous areas near Tacloban City, Leyte Province, as well.

Mary Ann Zamora, an Emergency Communications Officer with World Vision based in Cebu, Philippines, said from her vantage point, "We could see billboards flying around like kites, and the wind was whistling through the trees. Rain continues to pound us here."

World Vision emergency staff are based throughout the Philippines and are working closely with national and local government disaster response teams to assess the damage and begin a response as soon as possible. The biggest challenge for storm survivors will be emergency food and safe drinking water.

World Vision relief efforts are targeting 1.2 million people – or 240,000 families – with the provision of food, non-food items, hygiene kits, and emergency shelter.

Before Haiyan, the aid agency was still actively responding to last month's earthquake in Bohol, distributing relief supplies to 7,000 families.

To donate to the Emergency Preparedness Fund, which helps World Vision respond to disasters, call 13 32 40 or go to www.worldvision.com.au

Media contacts: Kate Rose – 0418 528 683 / kate.rose@worldvision.com.au
Gabrielle Brophy – 0407 575 112 / gabrielle.brophy@worldvision.com.au

Media Releases, Typhoon Haiyan, Asia and the Pacific, Disaster relief, Foreign Aid, Philippines, Typhoon Haiyan

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