Typhoon Haiyan: Utter destruction, Oxfam appeals for funds

Typhoon Haiyan: Utter destruction, Oxfam appeals for funds

Immediate needs are water, food, medicines and shelter

In the wake of super typhoon Haiyan, thousands are feared dead and over 4.4 million people affected across 36 provinces.

An Oxfam team of aid experts assessing level of typhoon damage in Daanbantayan, the northern-most tip of Cebu mainland, said today that nearly all the houses and buildings were damaged, power lines were down and there was no electricity in the entire municipality.

Speaking from Cebu, Oxfam’s Tata Abella-Bolo said, “The scene is one of utter devastation. There is no electricity in the entire area and no water. Local emergency food stocks have been distributed but supplies are dwindling. The immediate need is water, both for drinking and for cleaning.”

The Oxfam emergency team spoke of seeing children begging for assistance, holding up signs that read, “Help. We need water, food and medicines.”

Roads to the area were hardly passable with trees and wreckage of houses lining the highway.

Local officials said 98 per cent of the houses and structures in the municipality were damaged. This included the town hall and a cultural centre, which served as an evacuation centre but had to be evacuated due to level of damage.

Oxfam is appealing to the public to generously support Oxfam’s emergency response. Donations can be made online at www.oxfam.org.nz or by calling 0800 600 700.

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