Six months after Typhoon Haiyan made landfall, the Red Cross continues to support affected communities

Topics: Asia, Emergencies and Disasters Worldwide
May 08, 2014

(Ottawa, May 8, 2014) Six months on from the devastating typhoon that struck the Philippines, millions of people remain in a precarious situation. The Canadian Red Cross is committed to supporting long-term needs of survivors and will work alongside Red Cross partners in undertaking a holistic and integrated approach to the recovery operation.

“The Canadian Red Cross is working alongside the Red Cross Movement to ensure that Canadian donations are being used towards projects and programs that best meet the needs of survivors,” says Conrad Sauvé, secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross.  “This includes shelter and settlements, livelihoods and cash transfer programming, water and sanitation, and health.”

Health needs, including disease prevention, continue to be a priority for the Red Cross.  To date, the Red Cross has treated 20,000 patients at emergency health facilities, reached 64,000 families with community-based health activities and an additional 100,000 families with hygiene promotion messaging.  Over the next two years, the Red Cross will continue to assist almost 800,000 survivors as they work to rebuild their homes, lives and communities.

“The Canadian Red Cross has a long-standing history of providing solidarity and support and we are committed to working with the Philippine Red Cross as they continue to help survivors’ recovery and invest in long-term preparedness activities to ensure communities are stronger, safer and more resilient the next time disaster strikes,” adds Sauvé.

To date, the Canadian Red Cross has sent urgently needed stocks, trained disaster response personnel and a field hospital to support affected individuals.  The field hospital not only helped to meet emergency health needs in the immediate aftermath of the typhoon but will provide the region with an enhanced emergency health capacity for future disasters. 

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 189 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.
 

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