(Manila, November 8, 2013) - As typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines this morning, bringing wind gusts up to 275 kilometres an hour and heavy rains, CARE and partners are on stand-by to help people in need.
Celso Dulce, CARE’s Philippines representative and disaster risk reduction advisor said, “So far, detailed information on the destruction is still sparse. Thousands of people have been evacuated and initial reports are that many homes in the coastal areas of Leyte and Samar have been flooded and roads are blocked by fallen trees.
“CARE and our partners are on the ground and are gathering relevant information to plan for a potential emergency response. While it is now important to focus on responding quickly to people’s needs, it is also crucial to highlight that disaster prevention saves lives. Our work with various partners demonstrates that people can better protect themselves by being aware of local risks, and having basic knowledge on what to do prior to, during and after a hazard event. Communities working together with local authorities can develop community contingency plans including early warning systems and evacuation plans, which can be activated in the event of a hazard,” said Celso Dulce.
If typhoon Haiyan stays on track, it is forecasted to hit Central Vietnam on Sunday, in the same areas that were affected by recent storms, potentially causing further damage to already weakened livelihoods and infrastructure. CARE teams in Vietnam are monitoring the path of the typhoon closely and preparing for a potential impact, keeping in close contact with the Government of Vietnam, which is very well prepared for the storm and has best practices in place to warn, evacuate and respond to emergencies.
CARE has worked in the Philippines since 1949, providing emergency relief when disaster strikes and helping communities prepare for disasters. CARE's past responses in the Philippines have included typhoon Bopha in 2012 and typhoon Ketsana in 2009.
CARE's emergency response teams specialise in providing life-saving food, water, shelter and health care. CARE has more than six decades of experience helping people prepare for disasters, providing lifesaving assistance when a crisis hits, and helping communities recover after the emergency has passed. CARE, which works in 84 countries around the world, places a special focus on women, children and other vulnerable populations, who are often disproportionately affected by disasters. In 2012, our emergency response and recovery projects reached nearly 14 million people in 40 countries.
Find out more about our work in the Philippines by clicking here.
Media contacts: Sandra Bulling, Communications Officer, [email protected], +41792056951