Up to 4.5 million children affected by Typhoon Koppu in the Philippines

Sunday, 18 October 2015

Save the Children is warning that up to 4.5 million children will be impacted by Typhoon Koppu in the Philippines that has flattened houses, toppled power lines and forced thousands of people from their homes.

The aid agency also warns that there may have been extensive damage to plantations of bananas, coconuts, rice and corn in the worst affected areas.

Save the Children's Country Director in the Philippines Ned Olney said: "We are extremely concerned for the welfare of children affected by the storm. From our own experience responding to other storms in the Philippines, we know that children are the most vulneral in a disaster, so in the coming days we will determine what support they need."

Save the Children has emergency supplies in place to get to those affected, if necessary. It has three main warehouses across the country - one in Luzon, one is Visayas and on Mindanao - that are stocked with emergency relief items such as tarpaulins that can serve as emergency shelter, basic household items, hygiene kits and water kits.

Save the Children spokesperson Ned Olney is available in Manila, Philippines for interviews via skype and telephone, upon request.

Please contact Fay Hoyland - f.hoyland@savethechildren.org.uk / +44 (0)7831 650409 for more information and to schedule an interview.

Notes to Editors

The social welfare department of the Philippines has estimaed that 7.5 million people will be affected by Typhoon Koppu, approximately 4.5 million of which are children