UNICEF and partners are on the ground rapidly assessing the needs of families caught in the path of Tropical Storm Nalgae, which swept through the Philippines on Oct. 29, causing flooding, landslides and displacement in several regions. More than 3 million people live in the area affected by the storm.
Nalgae, called Tropical Storm Paeng locally, is the latest of over 20 storms that have hit the Philippines during the 2022 Pacific Typhoon season.
Flooding in the village of Barangay, in Tuka, Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, Southern Philippines. Photo taken by Sitti Quin, Child Protection Officer, UNICEF Philippines, during a rapid needs assessment mission conducted by UNICEF with government and humanitarian partners. © UNICEF/UN0726583/
UNICEF is deeply concerned for children and families at risk from the storm and has reaffirmed its readiness to provide support to a government-led response.
In the video below, UNICEF Education Officer Rosa May de Guzman Maitem reports on the situation in Barangay Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguinadanao province, where massive landslides and flooding have swept away nearly 200 homes and displaced thousands of residents, including children.
UNICEF teams are on the ground assessing the impact of Severe Tropical Storm #PaengPH (#Nalgae) and needs of affected communities. Heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides destroyed homes and displaced children and families in Barangay Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, #Maguindanao. pic.twitter.com/uNdrrS05sM
— UNICEF Philippines (@unicefphils) October 30, 2022
“The rights of children are under threat with each typhoon that inundates their communities,” UNICEF Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said. “Children are the least responsible for extreme weather events, and yet they are the ones being displaced, in mental distress and cut off from schools and hospitals. Communities in the Philippines are simply not safe enough.”
UNICEF has prepositioned emergency supplies for families to respond to affected people’s needs for safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, medical supplies, nutrition, education and child protection.
Top photo: Bainor Macaur, 6, eats a snack inside a gymnasium serving as an evacuation center for children and families displaced by Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae in Parang municipality, Maguindanao province, Southern Philippines. © UNICEF/UN0726748/