Canadian Red Cross

Published purpose

November 19, 2013 – On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) made landfall in the Philippines, killing a reported 3,976 people and affecting 12.9 million people in 41 provinces. Some four million people have been reported as displaced from their homes and are seeking shelter in evacuation centres or with host families. This number is expected to rise. The typhoon caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the hardest-hit areas, making it very challenging to access affected people with emergency assistance. The latest reports indicate that the typhoon destroyed more than one million homes and that electricity and water systems are not functioning in many affected areas. The Government of the Philippines has identified the most significant needs as safe drinking water, shelter, food, medical assistance, and support to ensure adequate hygiene and sanitation. In response to the crisis, DFATD has deployed emergency relief items from its stockpile, managed by the Canadian Red Cross, to meet the immediate needs of people most affected by Typhoon Haiyan. The items include blankets, tents, water purification tablets, shelter kits, jerry cans, tarps, and buckets. The emergency items will be provided to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada, CARE Canada, and Save the Children Canada, which will distribute the relief items in the Philippines where they are most needed. This project covers the deployment, and subsequent restocking, of emergency relief items to the Philippines as facilitated by the Canadian Red Cross Society.