Philippines Relief Efforts Intensify as Typhoon Hagupit Makes Landfall | WPN World People News

Save the Children aid trucks are travelling into areas affected by Typhoon Hagupit with lifesaving supplies as the storm makes landfall. Across the country, the government is working with aid agencies on pre-emptive evacuations, pre-positioning essentials like food and water and deploying response teams into the worst affected areas.

Jennelyn, 44, and her granddaughter Frinkelle at Tacloban Convention Center, one of the city's evacuation sites

Save the Children staff are now positioned at strategic points, hibernating until the storm has passed, ready to distribute basic household and hygiene necessities, tarpaulins for temporary shelters and crucially, a water treatment unit to ensure children and families have clean water. The agency has also send out a medical unit and set up child friendly spaces in evacuation areas.

Tom Howells, Save the Children's Field Manager in Ormoc, Leyte, says: “We have been informed that storm surges of 3-4 meters may hit the city, and we know from experience that children are most vulnerable as they can drown or easily be swept away by the water. We are supporting the local officials in moving people to evacuation centers and safer areas."

The main concern for workers in the field is that Hagupit is moving very slowly. Staff are worried that those in the path of the typhoon may face a whole day of prolonged rains and typhoon strength winds, which could cause huge devastation.

Communications Officer Jerome Balinton, who is on his way to the Bicol area, says: "Hours before the expected landfall, we are seeing heavy rains and winds on our way to target areas. We are concerned over the safety of children and their families. Once the storm passes, we need to get to communities as quickly as possible to provide life-saving aid to the most vulnerable."

Source: Save the Children