Typhoon Haiyan: Aid in numbers International governments and aid agencies are working to get urgent supplies to millions of people affected by Typhoon Haiyan. More than nine million people have been affected in the Philippines, with more than 600,000 people left homeless. So far the death toll is confirmed at 1,774, but this is expected to rise significantly with estimates that it could be at least 10,000. The United Nations has released $25 million in emergency funds to provide food, temporary shelters, health services, drinking water and sanitation and has issued an appeal for a further $300m (£190m). Tonnes of aid - from food and shelters to digital radios - are being prepared or already making their way to the Philippines. The US aircraft carrier George Washington has been sent to the region, expected to arrive within 48 hours. The ship has a fleet of helicopters which can be used to drop supplies to inaccessible areas, and evacuate survivors to safety. The US military also plans to fly five C-130 heavy-lift aircraft into Tacloban, one of the worst-affected cities. Maj. Leo Liebrich told the AP agency: Were bringing in relief supplies, and leaving with evacuees (for Manila). Its pretty chaotic. The British warship HMS Daring and an RAF C-17 transport aircraft will also be deployed, Prime Minister David Cameron has announced. Double blow When the typhoon struck, the region was still reeling from the Bohol earthquake in October. More than 17,300 people were already receiving food aid from the World Food Programme as a result of the quake. British charity ShelterBox, which provides emergency shelter and non-food supplies for families affected by disasters, was already in the region working with affected families. ShelterBox volunteer Mark Dyer weathered the storm on Bohol Island. When we knew the typhoon was coming, we advised people to lower the tents before the storm. So we are now going back to help people put these tents back up, so they will at least have places to live for the next few weeks. ShelterBox provides families with a plastic box which contains a variety of items. As well as a tent - designed to withstand extremes of wind, rain and cold - it includes water purification equipment, blankets, cooking implements and solar-powered lighting and activity packs for children. In the Philippines, Red Cross volunteers are packing relief items such as food and hygiene kits to be distributed to affected areas. Food items include rice, canned goods, sugar, salt, cooking oil. Non-food items including laundry soap, bath soap, jerry cans, kitchen sets and tarpaulins will also be sent. The agency has also issued advice to survivors caught in the immediate aftermath. The Philippines Red Cross Survival Tips If your house was destroyed, make sure that it is already safe and stable when you enter Beware of dangerous animals such as snakes that may have entered your house Watch out for live wires or outlet immersed in water. Report damaged electrical cables and fallen electric posts to the authorities. Do not let water accumulate in tyres, cans or pots to avoid creating a favourable condition for mosquito breeding. Communications remain difficult in the affected regions, with roads blocked and infrastructure damaged by the storm. As of 11 November, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Oriental Mindoro, Masbate, Sorsogon, Negros, Capiz, Romblon and Busuanga in Palawan were all without power. Water and sewerage systems are also not working in many areas, with the UN requesting mobile water treatment units, tankers and generators.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 13:50:15 +0000
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