Manila /Kuala Lumpur, 19 September 2018 – More than 660,000 people in the northern Philippines have been picking up the pieces after devastating Typhoon Mangkhut.
The storm, known locally as Ompong, is the strongest recorded anywhere in the world in 2018 and struck the north-eastern tip of Luzon in the early hours of 15 September with wind gusts of up to 285 km/h. While its full impact is still being assessed, helping people rebuild or repair their homes and restore their incomes are already emerging as clear priorities.
Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon said, “Philippine Red Cross has been in action before and during Typhoon Ompong. Right now, we are committed to working hand in hand to help people recover as fast as possible.”
“As the clean-up begins, we’re worried how families will cope over the coming weeks and months. Their income from farming and fishing will be drastically reduced, making it almost impossible for low-income families to repair their homes or even feed their families. That’s why our focus is on supporting them to recover, with dignity.”
The region hardest hit, the Cagayan Valley, is the country’s top corn producer and second rice producer. Mangkhut struck just before the fall harvest, affecting more than 80 per cent of corn crops and causing damage to agriculture estimated at 51 million Swiss francs (2.86 billion Philippines pesos). More than 110,000 people who rely on fishing were also affected.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Philippine Red Cross have launched an international emergency appeal, seeking 2.7 million Swiss francs (152 million Philippines pesos) to assist 100,000 people for 12 months. The plan covers health, including psychosocial support and nutrition; water, sanitation and hygiene promotion; livelihoods, including cash; shelter; disaster risk reduction; protection, gender and inclusion; migration; and Philippine Red Cross capacity enhancement.
Announcing the appeal, Chris Staines, Head of IFRC’s Philippines Country Office, said, “The situation continues to evolve, and more information will emerge in the coming days as assessments continue. But we already know there is a need for a substantial humanitarian response to help meet people’s immediate needs.”
“We know disasters can make life especially difficult for some groups, so we’re putting in place measures to protect a diverse group of people, including children, women-headed households, men and boys made vulnerable by the disaster, people with disabilities and older people. For example, women Red Cross volunteers will carry out assessments and distribute emergency items to make sure we meet the needs of vulnerable women.”
IFRC has already made available about 480,000 Swiss francs (4.7 million Philippine pesos) from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund to support preparedness and response efforts.
For more information, contact:
In Manila: Mary Joy Evalarosa, +63 998 960 6291, maryjoy.evalarosa@ifrc.org
In Kuala Lumpur: Rosemarie North, +60 122 308 451, rosemarie.north@ifrc.org
In Geneva: Matthew Cochrane, +41 79 251 80 39, matthew.cochrane@ifrc.org
About IFRC
IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network, comprising 190 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies working to save lives and promote dignity around the world.