November 8 2013
Children's villages provide shelter in Philippines typhoon
More than 30 families have found shelter in the SOS Vocational Training Centre in Calbayog. While the SOS Children’s Villages Calbayog and Tacloban are safe, the SOS Children’s Village Cebu is still in the grip of the typhoon.
Super typhoon Haiyan hit the island of Samar this morning and is moving northwest towards Manila. In the eastern coastal city of Tacloban, one of the first areas to be hit, streets were flooded and some buildings collapsed, according to footage broadcast on ABS CBN television.
SOS Children’s Villages Calbayog and Tacloban are in the affected region, but the village directors report that while heavy rains and strong winds are still eminent, SOS families and staff are safe. In Calbayog, around 33 families from neighborhood have taken shelter in SOS Vocational Training Centre.
The typhoon is currently in the vicinity of SOS Children’s Village Cebu, which is being pelted by strong winds and torrential rain. Davao, Bataan, Lipa and Manila, are now experiencing rains as the typhoon approaches.
In 2009 SOS Children’s Villages provided emergency goods to some 1,000 people after floods had submerged most of Manila following a typhoon. The extent of damage and the number of families affected by this typhoon is still unknown.
SOS Children’s Villages has been active in the Philippines since the 1960s and is presently supporting children, young people and families in eight locations throughout the island state.