Statement by CARE Phillippines Country Director, Reiza S. Dejitoon on Typhoon Gaemi (Carina):
Manila, Philippines, 24 July - Typhoon Gaemi (Carina) continued to intensify today, drenching the country’s northern parts and prompting officials to place Manila and the rest of the National Capital Region under a state of calamity. CARE Philippines and its partners are preparing to respond immediately to those affected by the flooding. Approximately 600,000 people nationwide have been impacted, with severe effects in major cities. Many of CARE’s Metro Manila-based staff and their families, as well as staff of local partner organizations, have also been significantly affected.
“Together with our local partners, through the Humanitarian Partnership Platform and the ACCESS consortium, we are ready to respond, ensuring the safety of women and girls, persons with disabilities, older persons, and children. We know that, during crises, the most marginalized are exposed to heightened risks to their safety and health, and have difficulty accessing essential services. This disaster too, has exacerbated their vulnerabilities, making it essential to prioritize their specific needs.”
“We are deploying a team to assess the damage and needs on the ground in the affected areas to ensure an effective, gender-responsive, life-saving response. We are coordinating closely with local authorities, other humanitarian organizations, and local partner organizations to provide timely and targeted assistance. In the face of such immense needs, we cannot afford delays. All available support must be mobilized swiftly.”
CARE's work in the Philippines
CARE Philippines has been doing humanitarian and development work in the Philippines since 1949. Today, CARE Philippines is one of the leading humanitarian NGOs in the Philippines fighting poverty and delivering life-saving assistance to vulnerable Filipinos and communities.
The Philippines continued to be the most at-risk country in the world and has the least societal capacity to respond to natural disasters, according to the World Risk Index 2023.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Sarita Suwannarat, Asia Communications Advisor
Email: [email protected]
Mary Therese L. Norbe, CARE Philippines Communications Specialist
Email: [email protected]