A new typhoon warning has been issued by forecasters to the central Philippines, barely days after the worst storms and mudslides to hit Bicol region in forty years, saw more than one thousand killed and the lives of over one and a half million people affected.

The second typhoon in 10 days, this time it is heading for provinces in Visayas and Mindanao regions. This warning comes at a period when international aid and development agency World Vision continues to provide essential relief assistance to the already devastated communities, including a number of Child-Friendly Spaces. Protected areas providing children with a safe place where they can play and re-establish a normal routine.

At 11:00am today, Friday 8 December, tropical storm "Seniang" is gaining strength and speed as it approaches the Samar-Leyte provinces, increasing the threat to these areas. Seniang has a maximum sustained wind speed of 85kph near the center and gusting up to 100kph.

World Vision Philippines Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Coordinator, Jose Bersales, has promptly alerted ADP (Area Development Programmes) regional coordinators in Visayas and Mindanao about the approaching typhoon.

Bersales says, "Our ADP's are closely coordinating with the provincial and municipal government about disaster preparedness. While there are no World Vision ADP's directly in the path of the typhoon, we are doing our best to ensure that the warning signals issued by the local disaster coordinating councils are properly headed by the residents especially in areas prone to flashfloods and landslides."

He continued to add that disaster contingency plans in the ADP's are active. He is assured that while World Vision Philippines continues to respond to the devastation caused by Typhoon Durian in Bicol and southern Luzon regions, the National Office is also closely monitoring the movement of Typhoon Seniang.

World Vision Philippines regional coordinators in Vasayas and Mindanao reported that their areas are experiencing moderate rainfall at this present time.

Only a few days ago World Vision Philippines raised the emergency response status for Typhoon Durian to Category 2, Level 1 following reports conducted on the 2 December by three rapid assessment teams, which totaled 13 World Vision staff across the worst hit areas of the province, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes.

The agency has since made an initial appeal of $1 million to the public, donors and its worldwide World Vision offices and their governments, to provide a 30-day relief assistance to 10,036 families or 56,000 people living in these hardest-hit regions.

World Vision Philippines is also preparing a two-year $6 million rehabilitation proposal to respond to the affected families' long-term needs. The proposed programme will focus on the construction and repair of school buildings, provision of housing assistance, agricultural livelihood and capacity building on community-based disaster management.

Currently $200,000 has been given to World Vision by USAID and $3,000 from the Union Church of Manila, means this combined with a financial commitment by seven World Vision support offices including World Vision Philippines, US, Singapore, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand and monies released from World Vision's EPRF (Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund) provides a total of $631,224 in relief funds given so far.

World Vision Philippines reiterates its plea to its global offices to approach their government agencies and donors for further support and as an National Office they continue to submit proposals to local donors and government agencies.

Ends

Note to editors: World Vision is a Christian relief and development organisation dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. World Vision serves the worlds poor -- regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

For more information, photos or to arrange an interview please contact either: Ms Dominique M. Tabora WV Philippines Communications Manager Telefax: (+63-2) 3763274 - Mobile No. +63-9178735458 or +63-9219259386 dominique_tabora@wvi.org

Or Diwa Gacosta, Communications Officer +639209029167 diwa_gacosta@wvi.org

Returned from assessments in the field: Jose (Boy) Bersales, Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs director WV Philippines Mobile +(63)-9167876420 +(63)-92-15601949

Ms Dominique M. Tabora WV Philippines Communications Manager Telefax: (+63-2) 3763274 Mobile No. 09178735458 Email: dominique_tabora@wvi.org

Offices or donors interested in pledging money/seeking proposals please contact: Ms. Florelin Tiu Mobile No. (+63) 9178134247 Email:bebeth_tiu@wvi.org

Ms. Xenia Legaspi Mobile No. (+63) 9177949835 Email: xenia_legaspi@wvi.org

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