Effects of Typhoon Rai on children

As Filipino families gather this New Year’s Eve to welcome 2022, there are 846,000 children who need help after Typhoon Rai/Odette destroyed their homes. A more infectious strain of COVID-19 and continued heavy rainfall over typhoon-affected areas pose an extra danger and can further slow down aid efforts.

 the Philippine Government assessment teams from Surigao del Norte, Siargao Island, Dinagat Island, Southern Leyte, Cebu and Bohol reported that children need safe drinking water, health, nutrition and psychosocial support, protection from violence and continuation of learning.

children with diarrhoea in homes and hospitals, their worried parents barely recovering from the shock of losing their homes and livelihoods. Children’s schools were partly or completely destroyed and their learning modules have been inundated. Staying in crowded rooms in evacuation centres with adults exposes them to abuse and exploitation. Local government officials are overwhelmed and child workers such as teachers and social workers are themselves affected.

_{Source & credit: UNICEF}