UNICEF concerned for children in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Mawar/Betty enters PAR

MANILA, 27 May 2023 --Typhoon Mawar (local name Betty) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) today and will remain a Super Typhoon this weekend. Government forecasts possible heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides north of the Philippines.

UNICEF expresses its concern for children and families who continue to pay the price for extreme weather brought about by climate change. The UN’s child rights agency on Wednesday released a report that revealed that nearly all children in the Philippines face multiple, overlapping types of climate and environmental shocks, hazards and stresses. UNICEF is committed and ready to provide support to the Philippine Government to reach the most vulnerable.

UNICEF as co-leader of the WASH, education, nutrition and child protection clusters is in regular communication with partners at the national and local levels.

“Children’s right to survive and thrive is threatened by climate and environmental hazards and shocks. Every child should be given the skills to adapt. Urgent action is needed from governments, businesses and donors to invest in building climate-smart social services. No child should be displaced or struggle to survive after a typhoon,” UNICEF Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said.

UNICEF has prepositioned emergency supplies for nearly 10,000 families to respond to affected people’s needs for safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, nutrition, education, and child protection. These supplies include schools-in-a-box, family hygiene and dignity kits, tents, water purification tablets, and ready-to-use therapeutic food, among others. UNICEF is ready to distribute these supplies on short notice and activate partners for immediate distribution.