By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora / Philippine News Agency
The United Nations on Thursday expressed readiness to support the Philippine government in its response to the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.
“The Philippines Humanitarian Country Team, composed of relevant International and national non-government organizations, private sector and IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) and the UN Philippines just met,” UN Philippines Country Representative Gustavo Gonzales said.
“We’re closely monitoring the Odette typhoon and pre-positioning humanitarian support in close coordination with the government,” he added.
UNICEF, for its part, is ready to distribute supplies on short notice and activate partners for more emergency supplies.
“UNICEF is deeply concerned for children and families at risk as Typhoon Rai/Odette makes landfall today in the Philippines. We are ready to support the government’s emergency response and distribute supplies in affected areas,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Oyun Dendevnorov said.
Based on the latest weather bulletin released at 2 pm, the typhoon has intensified further as it made landfall over Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.
“Odette” has a projected path similar to the destructive Typhoon Sendong that struck Mindanao ten years ago and Typhoon Pablo in December 2012.
UNICEF projects that around 16 million Filipinos are facing threats including strong winds, heavy rains, flooding, landslides, displacement, and risk loss to life, home, livelihood, and agriculture.
The agency said around 700,000 of them are vulnerable children.
UNICEF is currently working in possible affected areas of Samar, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, and Catanduanes with health, nutrition, hygiene, child protection, and education interventions.
“Children suffer the most during emergencies. While the threat of COVID-19 still looms, the typhoon puts children at risk of another setback that may further upend their lives,” it said.
“UNICEF remains at the ready upon the request of the Philippine government and has pre-positioned emergency supplies for about 25,000 people to respond to their needs for safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, nutrition, education, and child protection,” it added. (PNA)-rir