Clay Aiken – UNICEF Ambassador – in The Field
I am so glad that Clay Aiken tweeted on Monday about Typhoon Haiyan. I was aware that there was a terrible storm, but because of Clay’s tweet I decided to learn more about what was happening in the Philippines. Emotionally, I have gone from deep sadness to hope…I remember what Clay has always said…that each of us can make a difference!
I found a wonderful blog on the UNICEF – United States Fund webpage. Written by Claire Manibog, the article combines some facts with some pictures that help us to understand what is happening. I take no credit for this except to bring it here because it helps us understand what is going on.
5 Things to Know Now About Typhoon Haiyan
© UNICEF Philippines/2013/JMaitem. A man carries his children in Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines, after Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the province.
1. The number of children affected has risen to 4 million
Children are the most vulnerable in disasters, and given the Philippines’ large youth population, a significant proportion of the 9.5 million affected by the disaster are kids. Children who survived will need urgent assistance: food, shelter and essential medical attention, plus ongoing psychosocial support.
© UNICEF Philippines/2013/JMaitem. The destruction caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda) in the city of Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines.
2. The destruction in some places is almost total
“People, families with children are walking along the ruined roads,” says Leon Dominador Fajardo, a UNICEF Emergency Specialist on the ground in Tacloban City. “I don’t know where they are going — there is nowhere to go. They are walking because their homes are gone and they have nowhere to go.” In Leyte province, Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda), reportedly destroyed 70 to 80 percent of all structures in its path.
©UNICEF Philippines/2013/JMaitem. Residents inside an evacuation camp in Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines.
3. Many of the survivors have lost their homes
Over 600,000 people have been displaced by Haiyan, many having lost their entire homes and family members. Approximately 435,000 are inside 1,458 evacuation centers. The Philippine Red Cross reports that at least 1,200 people have died. More recent, as yet unconfirmed reports suggest a death toll approaching 10,000.
© UNICEF Philippines/2013/JMaitem. Residents survey the damage caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan in the city of Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines.
4. In Tacloban, it takes 6 hours to travel 7 miles
Many sea and airports were severely damaged. Downed trees, wreckage and debris have made many roads impassible. Round-trip travel on the 7-mile road connecting the airport to the city of Tacloban can take 6 hours. The country’s geography is already a challenge to begin with: The Philippines is made up of over 7,100 islands, making emergency logistics all the more complex.
© UNICEF/DENM2013-00161/Thoby. 24 hours after Typhoon Haiyan struck, the first shipment of health, medical and shelter equipment and supplies are being loaded onto trucks for transportation to Copenhagen airport.
5. Clean water and sanitation are urgent priorities
Along with food and shelter, clean water and sanitation are critical first priorities. With many water systems and sewage treatment facilities damaged or destroyed, the possibility of diarrhea, cholera and other disease outbreaks is very real. The first shipments of supplies being airlifted by UNICEF Supply Division include water purification tablets and hygiene supplies. In addition, UNICEF is airlifting water purification and storage equipment directly to the Philippines from suppliers in Europe and Asia.
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I seldom ask for anything from the readers of CANN, but today, may I encourage you to make a small donation to UNICEF. If each of the readers here donated $10.00, we can really make a difference. When you combine the e-mail readers and those who directly click on the blog, we usually have about 1,000 readers each day. You do the math!
Help save the lives of children in the Philippines
Click on UNICEF for information about donating.
or
Text RELIEF to 864233 to donate $10 to @UNICEFUSA
I did it musicfan, I went to the UNICEF site and donated. I feel horrible about all the children being displaced with nowhere to go. I hope they get the help they need. My heart goes out to them.
Yes, I donated to UNICEF, so devastating, feel so helpless that I can't do more, God bless them.
So horrible! I’m do glad for organizations like UNICEF are there to help in such horrible times. My prayers are with the Filipino people.
I will donate – I feel so very sad, too as I sponsor a child that lives in the Phillipines and I am so
praying that she and family are safe from harm – – very worried! Thank you Clay for the tweet and also
you Musicfan for giving so much information! <3
I just sent in a check to UNICEF yesterday and when I got home and opened my email, I saw this post. I don't text, so I can't donate in that way. The devastation in the Philippines is overwhelming. Reminds me of the scenes of Indonesia from several years ago.
thank you for the kind words, thoughts and prayers for my countrymen. i had been to the devastated areas years ago working for a child trafficking research group and i cannot recognize any of the areas, landmarks, etc. from the news and pictures; such was the destruction. the visayan region was one of the poorest regions to begin with and for them to experience this disaster is heart-breaking. one can only weep while watching the news. some of the sick, elderly and children are now being evacuated to Manila but they also face a bleak future, especially those without relatives here in the city. please keep praying for my country, the Philippines and the Filipino people. we can only say thank you.
Thank you so much for doing this, musicfan123 and Clay. I have also sent help in the best way I can. If we all help them, even through the simplest of gestures, they can get over this. They need us now.