TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/26/13 -- Children are especially vulnerable during times of disaster. Currently, in the Philippines, an estimated 5.4 million children have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan, including being separated from parents and caregivers. Save the Children Canada's President and CEO Patricia Erb is on the ground in the Philippines and available for interviews to discuss Canadian aid in the region and Save the Children's commitment to child protection.
As an aid and development organization, Save the Children has been working in the Philippines since 1981, responding to dozens of emergencies across the country. The agency says providing protection and psychosocial support to children is as vital to relief efforts as food, shelter, and water.
With the ever-increasing death toll and the chaos of the storm, an estimated 1.7 million children have become internally displaced, many have been separated from their parents and caregivers, and some may have been orphaned. These children are extremely vulnerable to violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect, and rates of child labour and trafficking are likely to rise significantly. These children need to be reunited with their families as soon as possible.
About Save the Children
Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children, delivery programs and improving lives in about 120 countries worldwide. Working toward a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation, Save the Children's mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. Learn more at www.savethechildren.ca and www.facebook.com/savethechildren.ca.
The Humanitarian Coalition is a joint appeal mechanism. It is comprised of CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Quebec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada. With a combined presence in more than 120 countries, we bring together Canada's leading aid agencies to finance relief efforts in times of international humanitarian crises. We work together to eliminate unnecessary competition, reduce the duplication of fundraising costs, and inform the public on humanitarian needs. To make a donation for Typhoon Haiyan, go to www.together.ca or call 1-800-464-9154.
Contacts:
Patricia is available to speak to media from the Philippines
If you'd like to arrange an interview, please contact:
Kirsten Walkom
National Senior Manager, Public Relations
+63 999 651 9345 or +63 915 949 7920
kwalkom@savethechildren.ca
