On Aug 6th, monsoon 'Habagat' and tropical strom 'HaiKui' hit the Philippines capital, Manila and other central and northern areas of Luzon. Flooding due to these storms has affected more than 2 million and tens of thousands of people are still living in evacuation centers. Storm 'Helen' is expected to bring further rains and more floods. Merlin is based in Manila and our emergency team is responding to the health, water and sanitation needs of over 1,500 local people in need of care.
Families have abandoned their homes. Roads, amenities and houses have been washed away, due to the torrential rains and floods that have followed. Thousands of families are still sheltering in temporary evacuation centers or with relatives. They have very few possessions and money & are dependent on the local government, local and international humanitarian organizations and the goodwill of their neighbors for care and support.
Merlin want to help more than 300 families (over 1,500 people), by offering emergency health care & supplying hygiene kits. The team will also raise awareness about the spread of disease & how to prevent it in evacuation centers & supply local health clinics with medicines. Merlin is experienced in launching quick & effective emergency activities after such devastating floods, having organized similar responses after Storm Washi (Dec 2011) & the typhoons of Sept '09.
Merlin has been working with local communities in Manila over the past two years, supporting health centers and outreach clinics, offering health care and education, raising awareness on hygiene and disease prevention and training local community workers. The aim in to reduce maternal mortality figures, that over the last few years have risen dramatically in the Philippines and especially within the slum and poorest areas of Manila.
