Typhoon Mangkhut, locally known as Ompong, made landfall in the Philippines on September 15. As the strongest storm across the world in 2018, the typhoon reportedly produced waves reaching almost 30 feet high, caused excessive flooding, and resulted in more than 40 landslides. International Medical Corps is deploying an emergency advance team to the affected areas to rapidly identify the most critical needs and reach those most affected by this devastating typhoon.
As the strongest storm in the world in 2018, Typhoon Mangkhut has affected more than 250,000 people across 332 cities or municipalities. The typhoon reportedly produced waves reaching almost 30 feet high, caused excessive flooding, and resulted in more than 40 landslides. An estimated 14 people have been killed as a result of the storm, however, needs and numbers are expected to rise, as many communities have not yet been reached as of September 15.
International Medical Corps is deploying an emergency advance team to the typhoon-affected areas to rapidly identify the most critical needs. We stand ready to coordinate with the local authorities to reach those most affected by this devastating typhoon. We are also working with our partners and team from 2013's catastrophic Typhoon Haiyan, when International Medical Corps teams also provided a comprehensive emergency response in the Philippines.
International Medical Corps' approach is to provide immediate care, while ensuring a sustained impact in the communities we serve. A pre-eminent first responder for more than three decades, we have extensive experience building back better, providing medical care and other lifesaving relief in the aftermath of disaster. We will build upon our 2013 Typhoon Haiyan response, where we provided relief and recovery services, while training communities to become their own best first responders.
