100 days after Haiyan struck in Central Philippines, UNHCR continues to support the government in providing protection and durable solutions for survivors.
TACLOBAN, Philippines – 100 days after Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck in Central Philippines, the UN refugee agency continues to support the government in providing protection and durable solutions for vulnerable typhoon survivors.
Over 4.1 million people have been displaced by the super typhoon that unleashed its wrath on the disaster-prone country on November 8 last year, claiming some 6,200 lives and damaging 1.1 million homes. More than three months later, concerns remain on the security of affected communities just starting to recover from the devastation.
Lingering issues include a heightened risk of human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, child exploitation and concerns about highly vulnerable sectors such as elderly people, persons with disability and indigenous populations caused mainly by the loss of dwellings and livelihoods linked to the disaster.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), under the Typhoon Yolanda Protection Cluster led by the government’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has supported the strengthening of the Women and Children’s Protection Desks of the Philippine National Police to improve security for women and children survivors. UNHCR has advocated for and supported the deployment of dozens of female police officers from other regions to typhoon-stricken areas.
“We have been heavily involved in training local authorities, aid workers, and members of the Armed Forces and the Police force on the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, child protection and sexual and gender-based violence together with the other members of the Protection Cluster. Through this, we have a dialogue with national protection actors on how to bring a human rights perspective into the emergency response and search for solutions for the most vulnerable populations,” said Joel Andersson, Head of Yolanda Operations for UNHCR in Tacloban, one of the areas hardest hit by the typhoon.
Another initiative of UNHCR has been to install teams in disaster areas to monitor all forms of movement of those displaced by the typhoon, including relocation and resettlement, and ensure that these are voluntary, safe, free, informed and dignified. Affected persons can inform UNHCR staff of their protection concerns.
UNHCR, among the first agencies to respond to the emergency, has been working in six disaster areas. These include Tacloban, Guiuan, Ormoc and Cebu, where UNHCR co-leads the Protection Cluster, as well as Roxas and Borongan where the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has been delegated the responsibility.
“We will continue to work with the government to help deliver durable solutions to the millions displaced and affected by the super typhoon, with a protection focus,” said Andersson.
Alongside these services, UNHCR has provided assistance to nearly half a million typhoon survivors 100 days after Typhoon Yolanda with emergency shelter and relief items, counting more than 10,000 tents, 15,000 solar lanterns, 60,000 plastic sheets, 80,000 blankets, 30,000 jerry cans for water, 15,000 sets of cooking utensils, 3,000 hygiene kits and 2,000 sleeping mats.
UNHCR has been mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and find durable solutions to refugee problems worldwide. It also provides protection to internally displaced persons victims of conflict and, in certain cases, natural disasters. In the wake of Typhoon Yolanda, UNHCR has been requested by the government to co-lead the Protection Cluster for the emergency response.
Contact persons:
Marmie Liquigan (Manila), External Relations/PSFR, [email protected], +639189208765
Johanna Morden (Manila), External Relations, [email protected], +639173055573
Kent Bolisay (Tacloban), External Relations, [email protected], +639294577645
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