Tropical storm Ketsana has killed at least 246 people in Manila and forced 370,000 from their homes. World Emergency Relief UK is launching an emergency appeal to rush emergency medical supplies to the victims.
On Saturday 26th September, the tropical storm Ketsana hit Manila, the Philippines' capital, and 25 local provinces, with the heaviest rainfall the country has experienced in over 40 years. Ketsana has so far exacted a human death toll of 246 people while damages are estimated to be in excess of $100 million.
In Laguna, 2 hours from the capital, WER partner the Center of Hope provides refuge for children fleeing abusive homes. But the centre itself now lies 7 feet underwater, abandoned, with extensive flood damage.
"Children and staff were successfully evacuated from the Centre of HOPE four at a time on an inflatable bed, since there were no boats available for us," said Michelle Uson-Laurel, Project Co-ordinator. "We desperately need temporary accommodation and medical assistance to get through this crisis."
Forecasters have predicted another typhoon entering the country on Thursday which could severely worsen the prospects of the victims of the disaster.
WER is appealing for donations to fund an emergency shipment of medical supplies to the children from the Centre of Hope and thousands of others in the region in desperate need of aid. Medicines to combat diarrhoea, potential flu and a water-borne bacterial disease called leptospirosis, are essential for all those affected, especially the vulnerable children forced to flee the Centre of Hope.
WER have already secured £60,000 worth of vital supplies and are now raising money to cover the immediate flight in of these essential goods. £3,000 is all that is needed to get these supplies on a flight now.
WER is also seeking donations to re-house the orphans displaced from the Centre of Hope. £700 alone could secure temporary accommodation for the children and staff for two months while the province of Laguna solely recovers and repairs are carried out.
"The situation is really very urgent," said Michelle Uson-Laurel. "We need people to help us now."
Please help us to respond to this crisis in the Philippines. To make a donation please call the WER team on 0844 249 2129 or donate online at www.wer-uk.org/donate
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Residents walk through mud caused by Typhoon Ketsana, locally known as Ondoy, in Montalban Rizal, west of Manila September 29, 2009. Philippine authorities braced on Tuesday for another storm as the ...
