This weekend, UNICEF marks the first anniversary of Super Typhoon Haiyan which affected 5.4 million children in the Philippines. The strongest hurricane ever to make landfall in recorded history, Typhoon Haiyan destroyed up to 90% of the hospitals, schools and homes in its path, leaving 1.7 million children homeless and at risk from disease and hunger.
Thanks to the generosity of the Irish public, UNICEF began delivering life-saving supplies to children immediately after the storm. Since November 2013, UNICEF’s supporters have helped:
- Provide 1.3 million people with access to clean drinking water
- Vaccinate 1.3 million children under the age of 5 against measles
- Provide almost 625,000 children with education materials
- Screen almost 517,000 children for malnutrition.
- Support over 40,000 children to access psychosocial support at 153 Child Friendly Spaces (CFCs).
UNICEF Ireland’s Executive Director Peter Power, who visited the Philippines in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, said:
“Until you see the destruction of Super Typhoon Haiyan with your own eyes, it is hard to imagine the true scale of this tragedy. When the Typhoon struck the central Philippines, UNICEF responded immediately with life-saving aid for the children who were hardest hit thanks to generous donations from the public. One year later, huge progress has been made. UNICEF has helped find children new homes, built new schools, reunited families and provided psychological support for those who lost loved ones. Today, I want to thank UNICEF’s donors. Together, we have ensured that children in the Philippines are getting their lives back and have hope for the future.”
UNICEF Ireland, which is completely reliant on voluntary donations from private citizens, governments and foundations across the world raised over €1.2 million to meet the immediate, life-saving needs of children.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Clare Herbert, UNICEF Ireland, Communications and Media Manager, clare@unicef.ie / +353 87 942 1281 / + 353 1 878 3000
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and it’s work please visit www.unicef.ie.
