The people of the Philippines have faced the devastation from Typhoon Phanfone and the eruption of the Taal Volcano. International Medical Corps is in the Philippines to assess and address the most urgent relief and recovery needs for the women, men, and children affected.
On Sunday, January 12, 2020 the Taal Volcano- about 40 miles from Manila-began erupting. More than 931,000 people reside in the area of concern. This comes on the heels of the devastation of Typhoon Phanfone, which made landfall in the Philippines in Eastern Samar of the Eastern Visayas region on December 24, 2019. Equivalent to a category-2 typhoon, Phanfone has affected more than 3.2 million people, displaced 145,000 people, and has resulted in at least 57 deaths.
International Medical Corps' Philippines team will assess and address needs in the most affected areas of the Philippines. Our team is prepared to address gaps in water, sanitation and hygiene care as well as provide relief supplies, such as blankets and tarps, for those displaced from their homes. International Medical Corps is also ready to scale nutrition support, as well as surge access to primary and mental health care.
International Medical Corps was on the ground within 24 hours of 2013's Typhoon Haiyan, and continues to work in the country today, providing emergency relief and building local capacity for disaster preparedness. Our teams have responded to Typhoons Haiyan, Koppu, Mangkhut, and Kammari. Overall, International Medical Corps' approach focuses on immediate care and a sustained impact through training and building back better.
