The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) expressed concern on Thursday for children and families affected after the country has been hit by super typhoon “Rolly,” typhoon “Siony,” “Tonyo,” and “Ulysses.”
Less than two weeks after the onslaught of super typhoon “Rolly” brought destructive wind and rain to the country, typhoon “Ulysses” left many residents trapped in floodwaters and taking refuge in evacuation centers, UNICEF said.
“UNICEF and its partners are responding to an emergency within another emergency. Children and their families are growing more and more vulnerable as they experience the threat of COVID-19 coupled with strong typhoons and other disasters,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said in a statement.
UNICEF expressed concern for vulnerable children who were already stunted can become severely malnourished from lack of food and contaminated water sources. It also added that children in crowded evacuation centers may contract diseases and risk experiencing gender-based violence.
“We are concerned for the many children who are experiencing recurring threats to their survival, development, protection and participation,” Dendevnorov said.
The UNICEF said it is currently responding to typhoon affected communities using prepositioned supplies, these resources run the risk of being depleted if no additional resources are secured given the magnitude of these consecutive emergencies, and the anticipated additional weather disturbances before the year ends.
It also launched its super typhoon “Rolly” appeal amounting to US$ 3.7 million, which is intended to support communities and partners to have access to water, sanitation, hygiene, nutrition, education, health, and protection services.