(Updated as of January 17, 2018) – Several Filipino children from the Southern Philippines weren’t able to enjoy Christmas last December.
Typhoon Vinta (International Name: Tembin) made landfall in Davao Oriental on December 22, 2017. Until today, many children haven’t recovered from Vinta. They lost their homes and schools.
Save the Children Philippines is providing education, child protection, water sanitation, and hygiene support for children affected by Typhoon Vinta.
Help us Rebuild after Vinta. Support our response operations. Donate today, save lives.
Who are most affected?
Most of the and missing persons were reported in Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Zamboanga del Norte.
The provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur have been placed under a state of calamity. (READ: Lost my home twice)
Typhoon Vinta brought heavy rainfall that caused flash floods and landslides in the Southern Philippines, affecting nearly 166,327 families across regions MIMAROPA, VII, IX, X, XI, XII, ARMM, and CARAGA.
Vinta destroyed homes, forcing more than 18,000 families to stay in evacuation centers.
Overall, 471,051 children were affected as of January 18, 2018.
Children in distress
Children who had to swim to survive the flash floods caused by Typhoon Vinta are now in hospitals. Some are showing signs of distress.
Some of the behavioral changes observed are:
- crying
- fear or uneasiness with rain, especially when separated from parents
- trouble sleeping at night
In the aftermath of Vinta, 31 children have been confirmed dead. Meanwhile, 30 others have been reported missing.
Impact on health
Cases of fever, colds, cough, stomach aches, and lose bowel movement are common among affected communities.
Children and infants are especially vulnerable to such illnesses, especially in overcrowded spaces.
Water pipelines are also potentially contaminated due to the damages caused by the flash flood.
Damaged schools
Some schools currently inaccessible due to damaged roads and bridges, hence disrupting classes.
Around 73 schools in Lanao del Sur have been flooded, a local division office reported. Meanwhile, 33 schools in Lanao del Norte have been reported to be flooded and partially damaged.
Classroom furniture, equipment, learning materials, and even school records were damaged or completely covered in thick mud. (READ: A young girl survives Vinta)
Debris of large boulders and tree logs are also scattered in school grounds, posing risks to students. This requires the rental of heavy clearing equipment.
Some students who were displaced by the Marawi Crisis were transferred to these schools in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. (READ: Lost my school in Marawi, and again due to Vinta)
Education remains our top priority. Help us Rebuild after Vinta. These children need us now more than ever.
We cannot make them wait. Donate today, save lives.