UN agencies step up operations to help Philippines emerge from flood disaster

With flood-hit provinces in the Philippines accessible only by boat and helicopter following recent storms, United Nations relief agencies are rushing in emergency medicine, food supplies and water purification tablets.

Since its arrival on Saturday the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team has met with the UN’s in-country Disaster Management Team, the Philippines National Disaster Coordination Council (NDCC), donors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss the best way to meet emergency needs.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has provided disaster response kits containing emergency supplies for 10,000 families, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sent in food, water purification tablets and clothing, and the World Health Organization (WHO) is working with the Philippines Ministry of Health to counter outbreaks of gastro-enteritis which are especially likely to effect children.

The WHO is also is preparing for an increase in malaria outbreaks, which can be expected in flood-hit areas in the next six to eight weeks.

Initial assessments show that the most pressing needs are for water and sanitation as many water sources are blocked by debris, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said today.

Blankets, clothing and basic medical supplies are also in short supply. Water facilities must be restored and roads cleared to prevent water-borne diseases and facilitate the delivery of relief supplies.

The Philippines Government estimates that the succession of storms has cost more than $57 million in damage affecting some 650,000 people.