Typhoon to Hit Philippines Over Easter Weekend: Hundreds of Thousands of Children at Risk

As millions of families in the Philippines prepare to celebrate the long Easter holiday weekend, pre-emptive evacuations are advised for families living in the projected path of a super storm.

“This isn't typhoon season, and Save the Children is concerned about the millions of families, particularly those with babies and young children, who will be traveling this weekend to spend time with their loved ones at Easter’, says Ned Olney, country director of Save the Children Philippines.

The ‘category five’ storm – called Typhoon Maysak - is expected to hit the island nation over the next two to three days, bringing with it torrential rains, flash floods, and gales of up to 183 kph.

‘It's still too early to know what this storm will do, but we ask everyone to heed safety warnings and prepare as if this storm is going to be a big one. Save the Children is ready with staff and emergency supplies, if needed, to reach as many people soon as possible in the aftermath of Typhoon Maysak’

The agency has three main warehouses in Luzon, Visayas Mindanao, fully stocked with emergency relief items including tarpaulins, cooking equipment, soap, and clean water kits for 10,000 families. Three emergency response teams are also ready for relief work.

The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 typhoons a year and typhoon Maysak will be the third typhoon of 2015.

The typhoon was last located 1,410 kilometres east of the Philippines in the Pacific Ocean, carrying wind speeds of 175kph. It is expected to initially strike the coast of Aurora province, 143 miles northeast of the capital city Manila, on the main Philippine island of Luzon, this Saturday or Sunday.

Although expected to weaken once it hits central or northern Luzon, the unseasonal typhoon is expected to cause widespread destruction to essential services across the country, including electricity and communications networks. President Aquino has put troops on high alert and instructed government disaster officials in eastern Visayas and southern Luzon to prepare emergency food and medical supplies for thousands of people.

For further information or to arrange interviews with staff on the ground please contact April Sumaylo, on +639 1730 11240 or at april.sumaylo@savethechildren.org

Note to Editors:

• Save the Children works in over 120 countries and is the leading independent organisation for children in need.
• Save the Children has worked in the Philippines for over three decades, providing both emergency and long-term support to improve the quality of life for children.
• Save the Children has previously responded to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, which affected more than 14 million people in Eastern Visayas, and Typhoon Hagupit, which hit the same region in December 2014.