Save the Children: ‘Safety of children and young mothers must be a priority in the wake of typhoon VongFong’

Aid agency ready to respond with hygiene kits, household materials and mobile health units

The safety of children and new mothers must  be a priority in the response to typhoon VongFong (local name Ambo) that is making landfall in the Philippines, Save the Children warned today. Parts of the country are bracing themselves for winds of up to 170 mph, floods, landslides and heavy rains. 

Mr. Alberto Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children in the Philippines said children, particularly those with disabilities, as well as pregnant and new  mothers are the most vulnerable, and at risk of  disease and injury during emergencies such as typhoons.

“We urge the authorities in the provinces of Bicol and Eastern Samar to prioritize children and their families in already vulnerable communities, who are likely to suffer most from the devastation caused by typhoon VongFong.

Deprived families living in coastal areas or remote hilly towns are the most exposed to natural disasters  as their homes are made of lightweight materials. If they lose everything, these families will struggle to bounce back. Many are already suffering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of income opportunities due to quarantine measures. The impact of VongFong could push them over the edge as the typhoon can ravage their houses and destroy their crops.”

Mr. Muyot also urged local authorities in Bicol and Samar to take COVID-19 measures in consideration, when preparing evacuation centers, which means ensuring physical distancing, the availability of hand washing facilities and other sanitation essentials like soap, alcohol, and face masks.

Teams of Save the Children are ready to respond to the typhoon – the organization has over 10,000 household kits with basic necessities for families, tarpaulins to build shelters and over 5,000 hygiene kits in stock so people can take COVID-19 preventative measures, and seven mobile health units are ready to deploy. 

To support Save the Children’s global COVID-19 emergency appeal, click here. 

For interview requests or more information, please reach out to:
Estrella Torres, Estrella.Torres@savethechildren.org / +63 917 301 1240

Bhanu Bhatnager (London), Bhanu.Bhatnagar@savethechildren.org +44 7467 096788

During out of office hours: media@savethechildren.org.uk  / +44 7831 650409