UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

Published purpose

December 2012 - Typhoon Bopha (local name "Pablo") made landfall on the eastern coast of Mindanao island in southern Philippines on 5 December as a category five typhoon, the most destructive storm to hit the country this year. Typhoon Bopha brought heavy rains and strong winds, leaving a trail of destruction to homes, livelihoods, and critical public infrastructure as it crossed over the southern Philippines. The eastern provinces of Mindanao were the most affected. Founded in 1946, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to protect the rights of children and women in developing countries through its development and humanitarian assistance programming. In humanitarian emergencies, UNICEF’s activities include the provision of: commodities to treat severe acute malnutrition; safe drinking water, sanitation facilities and hygiene programming; emergency education; basic health care; and, protection services for children and women. With CIDA support, UNICEF is providing emergency water, sanitation and hygiene assistance to up to 150,000 typhoon-affected people in the worst-affected areas of Mindanao, Philippines.