Philippines: Increasing risk for severe diseases

Malteser International supports flood relief - Medicine and food to be distributed at evacuation centres

Peoplein the evacuation centre of Quezon, Pasig, Parañaque and Muntinlupa will now receive food kits and further relief.About 3 million people are affected by the severe floods in the Philippines.

Cologne/Manila. The risk for severe diseases is continuously increasing in the evacuation centres of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. According to the Philippine Association of the Order of Malta, about 430,000 people had to take refuge in evacuation centres after heavy monsoon rains had brought devastating floods to Central Luzon and Metro Manila and especially to the poor quarters of the capital. Up to now, nearly 100 people died due to the flooding.

“The evacuation centres are overly crowded. The people are in urgent need of drinking water, food and medicine like antibiotics against diarrhoea and leptospirosis”, Roland Hansen, Head of the Asia Department of Malteser International, reports. Leptospirosis is spread mainly by contact with contaminated water or soil and the bacteria can enter through broken skin or through the soft tissues on the inside of the mouth, nose or eyes. Especially children and elderly people are at risk.

Malteser International, the relief service of the Order of Malta for worldwide humanitarian aid, will therefore provide additional 10,000 euros for flood relief. The Philippine Association supports the homeless people and distributes relief goods to nearly 14,000 people in evacuation centres in the districts of Quezon, Pasig, Parañaque and Muntinlupa. Besides medicines, the Association provides the families with ready-to-eat food like instant noodles and canned goods as well as with non-food and hygiene products like plastic mats, blankets, containers for drinking water and soap.

While about three million people remain affected in 16 provinces, the new typhoon Kai-Tak will again dump heavy rain on many areas struggling with deadly floods.

Support Malteser International’s relief efforts in the Philippines with a donation!

Thank you for helping us to support people in need!

Malteser International is the worldwide relief agency of the Sovereign Order of Malta for humanitarian aid. The organisation provides aid in about 100 projects in more than 20 countries without distinction of religion, race or political persuasion. Christian values and the humanitarian principles of impartiality and independence are the foundation of its work. For further information: www.malteser-international.org and www.orderofmalta.int