Monday 28 September 2009

Children in Manila and surrounding districts are desperately in need of food, clean water and safe shelter, following the devastating impact of tropical storm Ketsana. The cylone hit the region on Saturday 26 September, dumping 16 inches of rain in 12 hours.

"The situation for children is incredibly risky right now, with roads turned into rivers and rescue operations getting under way," said Stephanie Sison of Save the Children in Manila. "Children are scared and vulnerable in an emergency like this — they are at high risk of water-borne disease and can become separated from their families in the confusion following the storm."

Save the Children has already begun distributing essential relief items to families, including food, bottled water, blankets and shelter equipment. Authorities report that more than 140 people have died, and the death toll is rising. Around 300,000 people have been affected across 25 provinces. Around 47,000 people have sought refuge in storm shelters.

The storm which hit the Philippines on Saturday has caused the worst flooding in decades. It blew across the main island of Luzon and swamped the capital, Manila, washing away homes, marooning people on top of buildings and rendering many areas inaccessible.

Help us reach more children by donating to the Ketsana Cyclone appeal.