Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines - Emergency Water and Sanitation Facilities - Oxfam Canada 2013

November 2013 – On November 8 2013 Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) made landfall in the Philippines killing a reported 3 976 people and affecting 12.9 million people in 41 provinces. Some four million people have been reported as displaced from their homes and are seeking shelter in evacuation centres or with host families. The typhoon caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the hardest-hit areas making it very challenging to access affected people with emergency assistance. The latest reports indicate that the typhoon destroyed more than one million homes and that electricity and water systems are not functioning in many affected areas. The Government of the Philippines has identified the most significant needs as safe drinking water shelter food medical assistance and support to ensure adequate hygiene and sanitation. With DFATD support Oxfam Canada is providing safe water and sanitation facilities to 42 500 typhoon-affected people in Samar province. Some project activities include: (i) distributing water kits and hygiene kits for 8 500 families; (ii) providing 200 communal temporary latrines in temporary relocation sites with water facilities such as hand pumps and tap stands; (iii) distributing 400 sets of latrine cleaning kits; (iv) providing 50 communal environmental cleaning kits (15 workers per kit); (v) repairing 1 500 household toilets in locations such as schools gymnasium barangay hall or multi-purpose halls used as evacuation centres; and (vi) forming water sanitation and hygiene committees to carry out hygiene promotion sessions and be provided with operation and maintenance training.

The expected immediate outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to safe drinking water; and (2) improved hygiene practices. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of typhoon-affected people especially women and children.