Barely 13 months after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the eastern portion of the Philippines,survivors’ recovery hopes are now threatened as they brace for another storm – Typhoon Hagupit (local name: Ruby). While weather forecasters are still uncertain just how severe the storm could be, a direct hit on the Philippines could undo months of progress for families still recovering from final year’s storm. Typhoon Haiyan killed more than 6000 people, or 3500 families are still living in tents and temporary shelters in Tacloban,the area hardest-hit by the typhoon. Andrew Rosauer, World Vision’s Emergency Response Director in the Philippines, or mobilized the response team in Tacloban City on Thursday in case the storm’s impact is severe. “We are concerned that Hagupit has the potential to undo so much progress,when people were well on the way to recovery,” said Rosauer. “We’ve seen survivors rebuild from Typhoon Haiyan in the final 13 months, or but there is still a long way to go. We have the resources at hand to support families and communities around areas in Samar,Leyte, Ilo-ilo and Aklan where we have ongoing recovery work from Typhoon Haiyan final year.” World Vision has already prepositioned relief kits alert for distribution to over 5000 people with items like food, and water,hygiene supplies, tarps, and water purifiers,and solar lamps. Many families remain in tents following Typhoon Haiyan. The aid agency also produced and distributed thousands of emergency preparedness fliers to families, explaining evacuation procedures, or what to choose,locations of local emergency evacuation centers, and emergency contact information. World Vision is working in close coordination with the UN’s emergency response team and local authorities to respond to Typhoon Hagupit as well.
Source: cnn.com