UNICEF On Standby As Philippines Prepares For Typhoon Maysak

By Minggu Simon Lhasa BANGKOK, April 2 (Bernama) -- The United Nations Children's Funds (UNICEF) has announced it is ready to support the Philippine Government with pre-positioned emergency supplies from its local warehouses in Manila, Tacloban and Cotabato when Typhoon Maysak hits the country. In a statement, UNICEF said it had pre-positioned essential supplies that include water kits, hygiene kits, water purification units, school tents, student and teacher materials, child-friendly space tents, medical supplies and nutritional therapeutic food items to combat malnutrition, oral rehydration salts, tarpaulins and generators for at least 10,000 families. Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Philippines Representative, said in times of disasters, children faced the risk of disease outbreaks, malnutrition, violence and disrupted education. "Our priority is to ensure that children and their rights and welfare are protected before, during and after disasters.” UNICEF has staff on standby in Manila, Tacloban and Cotabato City ready to be deployed in rapid assessments as soon as it is safe to travel. UNICEF, together with the Philippine Government, co-leads the joint response in the areas of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Nutrition and Child Protection. The Philippines is bracing for Super Typhoon Maysak (local name Chedeng) as it enters the country’s area of responsibility this week. UNICEF said Maysak is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility in the morning of April 2. Its present course indicates a landfall over the Eastern Bicol region. -- BERNAMA