Unicef prepares for Typhoon ‘Maysak’

The Philippines is bracing for Super Typhoon “Maysak” (local name “Chedeng”) as it enters the country’s area of responsibility this Lenten week.

According to latest reports, Maysak is located at 1,280 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. It has maximum sustained winds of 190 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 225 kph, according to Pagasa’s weather advisory on Wednesday.

Maysak is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility in the morning of April 2, Thursday. Its present course indicates a landfall over the eastern Bicol region.

“Unicef is ready to support the government with prepositioned emergency supplies from our local warehouses in Manila, Tacloban and Cotabato once the emergency hits,” said Lotta Sylwander, Unicef Philippines representative.

“In times of disasters, children face the risk of disease outbreaks, malnutrition, violence and disrupted education. Our priority is to ensure that children and their rights and welfare are protected before, during and after disasters.”

Unicef’s prepositioned essential supplies include water kits, hygiene kits, water purification units, school tents, student and teacher materials, child friendly space tents, medical supplies, nutritional therapeutic food items to combat malnutrition, oral rehydration salts, tarpaulins and generators for at least 10,000 families.

Unicef has staff on standby in Manila, Tacloban and Cotabato City ready to be deployed in rapid assessments as soon as it is safe to travel. Unicef, with the Philippine government, coleads the joint response in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), nutrition and child protection.