Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines - Safe Drinking Water and Hygiene - Plan Canada 2014

February 2014 - On November 8 2013 Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) made landfall in the Philippines a densely populated country of 92 million people. The category five typhoon killed over 6 000 Filipinos caused 4 million people to be displaced from their homes and caused severe damage to infrastructure including homes roads schools and health centres. Although many people have already received life-saving humanitarian assistance significant humanitarian needs remain including early recovery activities that contribute to building communities that are more resilient. With DFATD’s support Plan Canada is helping up to 37 500 people affected by Typhoon Haiyan in Samar and Eastern Samar provinces by providing safe drinking water and promoting the importance of proper hygiene for good health. Project activities include: (1) rehabilitating 50 communal water supply systems; (2) rehabilitating water points such as wells in 80 schools and in 50 health facilities; (3) providing sanitation awareness programs to ensure that people understand the importance of proper treatment and disposal of waste water; (4) rehabilitating 300 latrine facilities in 50 schools and 100 latrine facilities in 50 health facilities; and (5) providing training and activities to promote the importance of proper hygiene.

The expected immediate outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to safe drinking water; (2) increased access to sanitary facilities; and (3) improved hygiene practices. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people especially women and children.