Typhoon Haiyan, reported by media outlets as possibly the strongest tropical cyclone in recorded history, made landfall Friday morning local time in Samar, central Philippines. Over 11 million people have been affected. World Vision is launching an emergency response to help affected vulnerable children and families. The first distribution on November 14 supplied 4,000 survivors with emergency water, food and hygiene kits. World Vision's 12 month response plan seeks to benefit 400,000 people.
As many as 2,500 people are feared dead, and an estimated 800,000 are displaced after Typhoon Haiyan left a wake of utter destruction over the weekend. Over 11 million people were affected, reports the UN Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Haiyan wreaked havoc on the country's telecommunications, agriculture, and transportation infrastructure, delaying recovery and relief efforts.
More than 500 local staff members are mobilizing to help provide food, blankets, mosquito nets, tarps, hygiene kits, and emergency shelter. Child-Friendly Spaces will help children cope with the emotional impact, play in a calm, safe environment, and catch up on missed schoolwork.
World Vision is launching one of its largest relief operations in five decades of work in the Philippines to help nearly 400,000 people affected by the disaster. In the first 6 months World Vision plans to distribute water, food, hygiene kits, and shelter kits, as well as provide Child-Friendly Spaces which provide a safe place for children to go durin gthis emergency phase. In the second phase of our response we will focus on recovering livelihoods.
