Manila(AsiaNews) – The four devastating typhoons that struck thePhilippinesover the past two months have left more than 190,000 people homeless and100,000 inurgent need of food, according to a report by the United Nations. The official death toll has risen to 1,400 but more statistics have yet to be included. The typhoons provoked flooding, mudslides and landslides across the Philippine archipelago, destroying more than 330,000 buildings, including numerous schools and hospitals. At the end of November, the death toll stood at 1,400 but statistics of victims of the two latest typhoons, Renming and Seniang, have not been finalized yet.
"It is now important that we can get through to the affected people," said Elisabeth Byrs, spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. "We also have to prevent the spread of diseases, and keep health services running."
The UN is asking member countries to donate $46 million to provide thousands of displaced people with items to meet their basic needs and temporary shelter.
Typhoon Seniang slammed against the Filipino coasts last weekend, only nine days after the deadly passage of Reming that destroyed Bicol region. Typhoons Milenyo and Paeng hit the country in September and October.
The UN Coordination Office said damages to roads and other facilities, agricultural crops and the fishing industry amounted to losses of $246 million. UNICEF spokesman Michael Bociurkiw said nine out of 10 schools were destroyed in Albay. The World Food Program said it plans to bring food aid to 50,000 people while another 50,000 will receive food supplies from the government.
