ChildFund Australia has today launched an emergency appeal for children and families affected by severe flooding in the Philippines. A State of Emergency has been declared in parts of the Philippines – mainly in and around the capital, Manila – where monsoon rains, intensified by a series of typhoons, have brought extreme levels of rainfall.

So far 92 people have been killed and over a million displaced. Almost 3,000 homes have been completely destroyed and families have taken temporary shelter in evacuation centres. Cases of fever and diarrhoea have been detected.

ChildFund has already begun providing relief supplies and will continue to support affected children and families until the crisis is over. We are urgently calling for

• Food and clean water
• First aid kits
• Hygiene kits containing such items as: toothpaste and toothbrushes, sanitary napkins, nappies, detergent, bar and dishwashing soap, shampoo and mosquito repellent
• Materials to temporarily repair damaged homes and restore livelihoods
• Child Centred Spaces in evacuation centres with educational and play activities for children
• School supplies

ChildFund Australia CEO Nigel Spence says: “Many places have reported waist-deep water levels. Thankfully in some areas, floodwaters have begun to recede but many locations are still submerged.

“Our priority is to ensure children are protected, both physically and emotionally. Child Centred Spaces help to provide some sense of normalcy for children who are currently taking shelter in evacuation centres, giving them a safe space to play and continue their education.

“With so many children and families in need of urgent assistance, we are asking Australians to help by donating to our emergency appeal.”

You can help now by donating to our Philippines Flood Emergency Appeal. Please call 1800 023 600 to speak to one of our Supporter Relations team.

NOTE TO OUR SPONSORS: For those Australians who sponsor children in the Philippines through ChildFund, we can report that a number of sponsored children have been affected, however, individual information on sponsored children and their families cannot be supplied at this stage as staff are busy helping those affected. We will continue to post updates on our website and Facebook page as information comes to hand and appreciate your patience.

Photo: Flood victims crowd a sports complex turned evacuation centre after flooding in Quezon City, Metro Manila [credit: Reuters/Cheryl Ravelo, courtesy the Thomson Reuters Foundation – AlertNet]

With the support of our Project Humanity partners, ChildFund Australia is contributing to the relief effort in the Philippines, following the flash flooding and resulting devastation caused by Typhoon Washi.

Tragically, the storm has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people, many are still missing, and over 40,000 children and families have fled their homes to wait in evacuation centres. Currently there are no reports of casualties from ChildFund-assisted communities, but many families have lost their belongings and their homes have been severely damaged.

The government of the Philippines is providing support through its military personnel, and ChildFund is providing emergency relief to 2,000 children and families in Cagayan de Oro, one of the worst-hit areas. This includes the distribution of bottled water, food items, hygiene kits and medical supplies.

Child-centred spaces have also been established by ChildFund in the evacuation centres, recognising that children in emergencies need a safe space in which to play and re-establish a sense of normalcy. John, a 13-year-old staying at a shelter, says: “It was so frightening. First, the water was at knee level. It then rose very quickly to my waist and then neck level. I almost drowned. Good that my father was able to get hold of me.”

Mark Anthony Dasco, ChildFund Philippines acting country director, says: “Child-centered spaces provide psychosocial support for children who have been affected by emergencies. They also provide a safe, physical space for children to gather in an unstable environment.” At the spaces, ChildFund is also able to monitor the health and wellbeing of children, and provide additional health support where necessary.

Over the longer term, ChildFund will work in partnership with communities to restore their livelihoods, particularly families dependent on agricultural and fishing activities which have been severely impacted by the flooding.