PHILIPPINES - Christian Children's Fund (CCF)-affiliated communities were severely impacted by the recent destructive powers of Typhoon Xangsane. According to officials the death toll from Xangsane has increased to 110 with numerous people still reported missing from the ensuing floods and landslides. More than 60,000 people have been reported displaced and 1,200 homes destroyed.
Winds of up to 81 miles per hour destroyed the homes of 80 percent of the 511 families enrolled in one CCF program area near Sorsogon and caused havoc in two other CCF program areas in Camarines Sur where rice fields and coconut farms were also demolished. Affected families were evacuated and CCF staff members continue working with the Municipal Disaster Council and the local governments in an effort to deliver needed relief supplies.
Christian Children's Fund emergency response team conducted on the ground assessments of the situation in affected program areas and responded to the immediate needs of children and communities providing relief goods, including food, medicines and potable water.
Four Child Centered Spaces (CCS) have been established in the typhoon-ravaged areas for more than 500 children ages 1-13 years old. CCF worked with community volunteers to build Child Centered Spaces using bamboo poles washed ashore during the storm,locally available materials and tarps. Youth and adult volunteers are working with elementary school teachers at the designated centers. The Child Centered Spaces provide a safe haven for children to learn and play in a non-formal education setting.
CCF staff conducted training for community volunteers on disaster preparedness, basic hygiene practices and coordinated with city health workers to set up medical missions in the most seriously affected communities in Sorsogon and Camarines Sur. The Child Centered Spaces served as the location for the medical teams and local health workers to treat children ages 1-13 brought in by their parents. Doctors from local communities volunteered their time to lead the medical teams and treated numerous cases of acute respiratory infections, fevers and diarrheal ailments.
Christian Children's Fund will continue to facilitate medical missions in other communities devastated by Typhoon Xangsane and conduct additional assessments for livelihood interventions in CCF areas devastated by the storm.
CCF has been working in the Philippines since 1954 and currently assists approximately 400,000 children and family members.
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