Typhoon Hagupit in the Philippines - Access to Water Sanitation and Hygiene - Global Medic 2014

December 2014 - Typhoon Hagupit (locally known as Ruby) made landfall in the Philippines as a category 3 typhoon on December 6 2014. It struck the far eastern island of Samar with winds of 210km/h which makes it the most powerful storm to hit the Philippines in 2014. The Government of the Philippines has confirmed 18 deaths and reported 241 700 houses damaged or destroyed across the affected areas as well as more than $82 million worth of damages in agriculture and infrastructure. According to the Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Typhoon Hagupit has affected nearly 3.9 million people in the regions of eastern Visayas (Samar) and southern Luzon who are in need for assistance. With DFATD’s support Global Medic is providing immediate access to clean drinking water and hygiene support to 2 160 typhoon-affected families. Activities include: (1) distributing hygiene kits (including items such as soap and toothbrushes) and water purification units to 2 160 families; and (2) conducting water sanitation and hygiene promotion to sensitize affected communities the importance of good hygiene practices.

The expected outcome of this project is improved access to clean water and hygiene support for typhoon-affected people. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or facing acute food insecurity.