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On Saturday 26th September typhoon Ondoy (also known as Ketsana) struck Manila and other parts of Luzon in the Philippines. The storm has caused severe flooding, and many areas are still isolated and in deep water.
The disaster has caught the international news and there is a great need for food and other basic necessities among affected people.
According to the National Disaster Coordinating Council, the death toll rose to 240 as of early on 29 September, but may go higher as authorities verify reports. Of the 240 deaths, 101 are from Metropolitan Manila. Some 37 people are still reported missing.
Ondoy has affected at least 1,872,036 people. Of these 374,890 are currently homeless and have been brought to 607 evacuation centers.
More rain is expected in the coming days as typhoon "Pepeng" is expected to enter the area on Thursday, 01 October.
Electricity and water remain cut-off in severely affected areas. Mobile communication however is functional and is the main means of communication in isolated villages.
Plan is already assisting with immediate relief, such as provision of food, drinking water, blankets, clothing and emergency shelters. Plan intends to help with the provision of tools for school cleaning, so that classes can resumes as soon as possible, water and sanitation items, as well as psychosocial and educational support for survivors, particularly children. As recovery from the situation progresses Plan will build on our Disaster Risk Reduction efforts in the area.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Rescue workers are seen with rescued dogs in Cockermouth, northern England November 21, 2009. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited flood-hit Cumbria in north west England on Saturday to see the ...
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