IOM – International Organization for Migration

Published purpose

February 2014 - On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) made landfall in the Philippines, a densely populated country of 92 million people. The category five typhoon killed over 6,000 Filipinos, caused 4 million people to be displaced from their homes, and caused severe damage to infrastructure, including homes, roads, schools and health centres. Although many people have already received life-saving humanitarian assistance, significant humanitarian needs remain, including early recovery activities that contribute to building communities that are more resilient. With the support of DFATD and other donors, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is helping up to 2.2 million people affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. This project assists displaced people in evacuation centres and temporary settlements, as well as those who have returned or are planning to return to their places of origin. Project activities include: (1) providing displaced people with essential referrals to humanitarian assistance organizations helping people with food assistance, health, and livelihoods opportunities; (2) providing technical assistance to the government authorities on the management of evacuation centres and displacement tracking tools that help provide a clear understanding of the changing location, vulnerabilities and needs of typhoon-affected people; (3) providing emergency kits to help people rebuild their shelters; (4) providing essential household items; (5) providing emergency medical supplies, medicines, generators; (6) providing additional health workers for health facilities assisting displaced people; and (7) providing anti-trafficking and sexual and gender-based violence training to government authorities and service providers working at evacuation sites or transit sites (such as ports, airports, bus stations) who may come in contact with populations at risk of being trafficked.