- In the first hours after the earthquake, Action Against Hunger has deployed its emergency teams to the affected areas for an initial assessment of the need for food, water, hygiene kits, shelter, and health and psychological care
- The earthquake, measuring 7 on the Richter Scale, has so far affected nearly 700,000 households in the northern Philippines and displaced some 10,000 people
- The country has already been ravaged by natural disasters such as Typhoon Odette, which struck last December.
Two Action Against Hunger emergency teams are already deployed in the areas in the Philippines most affected by the earthquake of magnitude 7 on the Richter Scale, which hit the island country on Wednesday 27th July. After an initial assessment, they have identified that the main needs are the distribution of food, water and hygiene kits, and the repair of water systems. Further needs include providing safe shelters for those affected, supporting health authorities and giving psychological care to the victims of the earthquake.
“Our teams are already here, and are struggling to reach some of the affected populations that are still isolated by the damage of this severe earthquake. The situation in the north of Luzon Island is dramatic, with hundreds of houses damaged – many do not know if they will be able to return.”
This strong earthquake has already had more than 50 aftershocks, which are expected to continue for a month. The northern area is home to 3.1 million people, of whom more than 854,000 live in the areas hardest hit by the earthquake. Around 10,000 people have been displaced by the disaster so far; most of them are staying in the more than 20 evacuation centres that have been deployed in the affected areas.
“Unfortunately, the Philippines is a country used to severe natural disasters. In 2020 it was already hit by a powerful earthquake and at the end of last year it was hit by super typhoon Odette. The needs for humanitarian support are urgent and manifold,” Murugesu stressed.
The earthquake has so far left four people dead and around 100 injured, although it is expected that these figures may rise as search and rescue operations continue.
Action Against Hunger has been working in the Philippines since 2000. It has supported communities affected by conflict and natural disasters, including emergency interventions to respond to typhoons and earthquakes, including super typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and Odette in 2021.