Devastating typhoon in the Philippines.
Give now to directly support UNICEF's EMERGENCY response.
Dear Reader,
Less than 2 days ago, one of the largest typhoons ever recorded ripped through the Philippines.
Sustained winds measured 195 mph, gusts as high as 235 mph. Initial images show trees uprooted like toothpicks. Buildings demolished. Homes washed away by a torrential storm surge.
A child stands little chance against this kind of storm.There are reports of 1,000 deaths in a single coastal town. Up to 1.7 million children are believed to be living in the areas that were hit.
UNICEF is rushing staff, relief and resources to the region. "...We know how vital it is to reach children quickly," says UNICEF's Philippines representative Tomoo Hozumi.
Just three weeks ago, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked the islands in the very same region. Tens of thousands of children were left homeless and living out in the open in make-shift tents.
Super Typhoon Haiyan couldn't have come at a worse moment.
For children who have survived, clean water is a matter of life and death. Safe drinking water can be impossible to find after such a massive natural disaster. And without it, a child will drink whatever water she can find, no matter how dirty or diseased. That drink can quickly lead to diarrhea, disease and death.
UNICEF's first priorities are to make sure every child has access to clean drinking water, essential medicines and emergency nutritional supplements. Even without a full assessment, we know tens of thousands of children are in grave danger.
Every moment matters for these children.
Please donate to UNICEF's EMERGENCY response in the Philippines. Any donation will make a huge difference. Right now, UNICEF's resources are stretched thin by three major crises in the country in just two months.
The last few months have been heartbreaking for children in Syria and now the Philippines. You've done so much already, but this is urgent and children's lives are on the line, so I'm asking for your support again.
Thank you for your compassion, your selflessness, your generosity in the face of such a heartbreaking crisis.
With gratitude,
Caryl M. Stern
President & CEO
U.S. Fund for UNICEF
