Highlights
More than 300 municipalities across Regions IV B, VI, VII and VIII, including Guiuan (Eastern Samar), still do not have proper water supply and lack access to adequate sanitation facilities.
An estimated 160,000 children are living in evacuation centres. While life-saving water has been provided in many areas, ensuring water transport and storage in many evacuation centres is still a concern.
There are growing health concerns for children including acute respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, given the lack of adequate shelter and health services compounded by poor weather conditions.
The Nutrition Cluster estimates 1.35 million children under the age of 5, and 650,000 pregnant and lactating women, are at risk of malnutrition in the affected areas.
There are concerns of potential cases of children in conflict with the law. As experienced in previous typhoon emergencies, the prospect of children being involved in looting and other crimes is likely given the harsh economic conditions in the affected areas.
UNICEF has over 60 staff deployed to affected areas, including cluster and information management support. Staff are also on the ground in Tacloban, Cebu, Roxas City, Ormoc and Borongan as of 22 November.
UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children requests US$61.5 million to respond to the immediate needs of children and women affected by the Typhoon.