News

Typhoon aftermath: Malteser International increases relief for stricken islanders

Food, household, hygiene kits, tarpaulins, medical help for 20,000

Cologne/Manila, 4 December 2013

Typhoon aftermath – support for Samar islanders

Latest aid increase from Malteser International means support for 20,000 people, with 4500 kits of food, household and hygiene items benefitting 1500 families on Bantayan, 800 tarpaulin sets sheltering families on Samar and medical treatment for 570 patients in the villages of San Antonio and Amandayehan.

“Health services were reinstated fairly quickly in urban areas following Typhoon Haiyan. But poor rural communities in remote areas haven’t received the medical attention they need,” says Dr. Mel Capistrano, Malteser International emergency relief expert. “Community health infrastructures, like village health stations and rural health clinics, were totally destroyed. As well, local health care staff have been personally affected and so they’re difficult to mobilise.”

Support plans for the future

In addition to emergency relief, Malteser International will focus on recovery efforts in the areas of health, sanitation, reconstruction and psychosocial care. For Samar Island, there will be an additional focus on schools and restoring livelihoods through seed distribution.

Malteser International is the humanitarian relief agency of the Sovereign Order of Malta. With over 100 projects annually in some 25 countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas, Malteser International has been standing by those affected by poverty, disease, conflict and disaster, helping them lead a healthy life with dignity – without distinction of religion, race or political persuasion. Christian values and the humanitarian principles build the foundation of its work. For more information:
www.malteser-international.org and www.orderofmalta.int