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ChildFund Focuses on Child Protection After Philippines Typhoon
ChildFund International, which was the first organization to establish Child-Centered Spaces after Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the central Philippines, continues to be on the ground meeting people’s basic needs while ensuring the protection of children and families.
As the number of affected persons climbs to more than 9 million Filipinos, ChildFund is supporting survivors by delivering critical food and non-food items to hard-hit communities in Tacloban, Ormoc, Palo and Tolosa in Leyte; Bantayan Island in Northern Cebu and Roxas City.
At ChildFund’s Child-Centered Spaces, trained professionals provide psychosocial support to children through structured play activities to help them overcome the trauma of the typhoon’s destruction, the loss of loved ones and homes and the stress of living in evacuation centers.
“Natural disasters like Typhoon Haiyan will affect children for their lifetime,” said Katherine Manik, country director for ChildFund Philippines. “Children are particularly vulnerable in disaster situations. Many children are unaccompanied or neglected while parents look for food and water. These Child-Centered Spaces provide a critical lifeline to help children cope and heal.”
ChildFund is committed to rebuilding lives in impacted communities and raising funds to help the people of the Philippines get back on their feet. Beyond the urgent aid ChildFund is providing now, there will be a great need for livelihood restoration, shelter, child protection and maternal and child health care.
ChildFund has committed resources to the Typhoon Haiyan relief response, but much more is needed. Donations go directly to help those impacted, particularly children. To help those devastated by the typhoon, please visit http://www.childfund.org/emergency/.
ChildFund International is a global child development and protection agency serving more than 18.1 million children and family members in 30 countries. For 75 years, we have helped the world's deprived, excluded and vulnerable children survive and thrive to reach their full potential and become leaders of enduring change. As a member of ChildFund Alliance, we create supportive environments in which children can flourish. To sponsor a child in need, visit the ChildFund website.
Contact: Cynthia Price (CPrice@ChildFund.org; 804-756-2722) or Cameron McPherson (CMcPherson@hodgespart.com; 804-387-7373).
