UNICEF Prepares for Typhoon Maysak

NEW YORK (April 1, 2015) – 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 (10.7°N, 137.4°E). It has maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph. (PAG-ASA Weather Advisory April 1, 2015).

Maysak is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in the morning on Thursday,

April 2. Its present course indicates a landfall over the Eastern Bicol region.

“UNICEF is ready to support the government with pre-positioned emergency supplies from our local warehouses in Manila, Tacloban, and Cotabato once the emergency hits. 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,” said Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Philippines Representative.

UNICEF has pre-positioned essential supplies that 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, co-leads the joint response in the areas of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Nutrition and Child Protection

About UNICEF

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For more information, contact:

Marci Greenberg, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212.922.2464, mgreenberg@unicefusa.org