The consecutive impacts of Typhoons Kristine and Leon have left thousands of families and children in the Philippines without clean water and sanitation and disrupted classes for 20 million students.
Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) and Super Typhoon Leon (Kong-rey), the 11th and 12th tropical cyclones to hit the country this year, affected 13 regions and 29 provinces, impacting at least 4.2 million individuals, including approximately 1.3 million children, and displacing over 300,000 people.
As Tropical Storms Marce (Yinxing) and Nika (Toraji) hit similar areas over the weekend, and with Tropical Storms Ofel (Usagi) and Man-Yi approaching, the Philippine government has stepped up its response, while communities brace for further extreme weather exacerbated by the climate crisis.
“We can’t emphasize enough the importance of lifesaving supplies during and after an emergency,” said Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov, UNICEF Philippines Representative. “We are working with our partners to provide water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies to affected families and children to prevent disease outbreaks.”
The affected areas already had limited access to basic water and sanitation services before the typhoons, and the recent storms have worsened the situation, with instances of open defecation reported.
Since Oct. 31, UNICEF and partners have delivered 2,950 hygiene and water kits to 2,950 families, out of the targeted 3,300, in the hardest-hit areas of Camarines Sur and Albay in the Bicol Region. In collaboration with Action Against Hunger and Plan International Pilipinas, an additional 350 kits will be provided to 350 families in the coming days.
In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Divisions of Camarines Sur and Albay, UNICEF will distribute education supplies to 14,594 students and 765 teachers in 25 schools and five Community Development Centers. These supplies include 3,261 student and teacher kits, 32 early childhood care kits, 38 recreation kits, and 25 UNICEF School-in-a-Box kits, each equipped to support one teacher and 40 students.
DepEd estimates that at least 500 schools in the Bicol Region require assistance.
“Ensuring that children’s learning is not disrupted is a priority for UNICEF,” said Akihiro Fushimi, UNICEF Philippines Education Chief. “We strongly urge schools to remain focused on education rather than being used as evacuation centers, to provide children with a stable learning environment.”
