Hagupit Loses Strength But Continues to Drench Manila as Residents of the Bicol Region Begin to Dig Out

Kansas City, MO, December 8, 2014 /3BL Media/ - Typhoon Hagupit has already passed through Legazpi and Tabaco, Philippines, where Children International operates five community centers, and where roughly 30,000 of the organization’s sponsored children and youth live. Evacuees have begun returning to their homes in those areas and are beginning the process of salvaging belongings and rebuilding their houses.

Children International’s Mobile Monitoring Teams continue their assessments in areas around the organization’s community centers, and staff are also distributing food, water and other supplies to those impacted.

In some areas, walls, roofs and belongings were lost during the storm’s peak, which included over 100mph winds and 15-foot storm surges. Many of those homes are now buried under several feet of black sand.   

Electricity has been restored in parts of the Bicol region, and CI community centers that were not used as evacuation centers are reopening to offer support and aid.

Although the storm has been downgraded since leaving the area surrounding Tabaco and Legazpi, its slow trek as it enters Metro Manila is expected to cause severe flooding there, especially in low-lying areas. Children International serves nearly 38,000 children and youth in Manila and Quezon City. Fortunately, Metro Manila is currently under the lowest storm warning (Signal Level 1, with 20-35 mph winds).

Quick Facts

• Children International aids children and youth from the time they are very young through the first two decades of their lives, helping them to be healthy, educated and ultimately employable so that they can break the cycle of poverty.
• Children International is well-prepared for emergencies such as Typhoon Hagupit with a professional staff of 200 in the Philippines and an established network of dedicated volunteers and partner organizations to help assist with disaster relief.
• Children International serves more than 70,000 impoverished children and youth in the Philippines.

Poverty in the Philippines

• Children International’s sponsored families in the Philippines often make as little as $60 per month – 85% of which is often used for food.
• Child malnutrition is a serious concern. Nearly 20% of Filipino children under age 5 are underweight due to poor access to nutritious food.
• The unemployment rate for young people in the Philippines is staggering. Over 17% of young people aged 17-24 are unable to find stable employment.
• Rural families migrate to urban centers like Manila and Quezon City looking for work but often find themselves living in conditions that are worse than what they left behind.
• Over 30% of the population suffers from poverty in the Philippines.

You can donate to Children International’s disaster relief efforts at www.children.org/typhoon.

Contact:                         

Christy Howard
Director or Corporate Communications
(816) 943-3730 (816) 943-3730
choward@children.org

Brittany Gelbach
Public Relations Coordinator
(816) 943-3832 (816) 943-3832
bgelbach@children.org

Please source all photos and videos with the following –
©2014 Children International.

Children International's Award-Winning Crisis Response History in the Philippines

Over the years, Children International has implemented various disaster-recovery efforts in the typhoon-prone country, running the spectrum from disaster-preparedness training and drills to providing permanent housing for families who were forced to resettle after their houses were buried under mudslides.

In 2012, Children International Philippines of the Bicol region received the Best Civil Society Organization on Humanitarian Assistance by the Republic of the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. As a result of receiving the award for three consecutive years, Children International also received the Hall of Fame Award in recognition of its work in disaster relief. In addition, Country Director Pio Salvador received special recognition for his "invaluable contribution in the field of disaster risk reduction and management."

About Children International

Children International prepares children and youth to escape the traps of poverty by supporting their critical needs, building resilience and engaging them in transformative activities. Children International accomplishes this by providing crucial benefits and compassionate care through easily accessible, modern community centers. Children International’s presence, programs and supporters have a positive impact on children, youth, families and communities; provide protection; encourage self-sufficiency; and serve as catalysts for change.

For more information about Children International, visit www.children.org.

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