Malteser International is preparing to respond to the aftermaths of Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which has lashed the Philippines, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
In the morning of Saturday, September 15 2018, Mangkhut made landfall on the northern end of the Philippine island of Luzon, leaving at least 60 people dead and displacing tens of thousands of people from their homes. Approximately 36,000 evacuees in emergency shelters are now in urgent need of food and medicine.
“The ferocious winds uprooted trees and electric poles, swept away houses and flooded farms on the coastal strip,” recounted Jan Emmel, Malteser International’s Country Coordinator for the Philippines. “Before the storm hit, many people tried desperately to harvest their rice crops and bind their roofs with ropes, but to no avail.”
With wind gusts of over 250km/h, Mangkhut has been named the most powerful storm in the world this year.
“As soon as the roads to the north are accessible again, we will conduct an assessment of the situation to identify how best we can assist those who have been affected,” said Emmel. “We will then work with our partners from the Order of Malta in Manilla to distribute food and kits of essential household items.”
Additionally, preparations have been made to install a water treatment plant, as many water sources have been destroyed or contaminated by the storm surges.
Malteser International has been working in close partnership with the Philippine Association of the Order of Malta since 2009. In addition to providing emergency relief for people affected by natural disasters, our work focusses on rebuilding water, sanitation and hygiene facilities while enhancing the disaster preparedness and resilience of communities.
Please support us in getting emergency relief to the most vulnerable people in this time of need.
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