Flash Floods Strike The Philippines

18 December 2011 - Flash floods and landslides have swept over the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines, destroying thousands of homes and killing at least 650 people.

Action Against Hunger | ACF International has been implementing programmes in the Philippines since 2000, and is present in Mindanao, the worst affected island by the storm. The Action Against Hunger teams have moved north to the area of Cagayan de Oro to conduct rapid needs assessments. More than 35,000 people are now living in temporary shelters which are already overcrowded, with hygiene and sanitation conditions posing a serious risk to health.

Action Against Hunger is preparing to launch water, sanitation and hygiene programmes to support the affected communities. Teams in Manila have mobilised shelter materials, hygiene kits and other emergency equipment and will be moving to Northern Mindanao later in the day to deliver those supplies and assist with their implementation.

Teams will also be assessing the health conditions of the already overcrowded temporary shelters constructed and act to prevent water-related diseases that could put the population at further risk.

Action Against Hunger has been in the Philippines since 2000, with bases in Central Mindanao, the Caraga region, and the Bicol region helping nearly 153,000 people.