IOM has released an initial USD 50,000 in emergency funds to
support the Government of the Philippines' efforts to deliver
humanitarian aid to thousands of victims of Typhoon Sendong (also
known as Washi) in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities in the
Philippines.

The storm, which hit the southern province of Mindanao on Friday
(16/12) night, left at least 957 dead and 49 missing.

According to the country's National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC), nearly 45,000 people were displaced
and are now sheltering in evacuation centres, mostly in Cagayan de
Oro and Iligan. Initial reports suggest that at least 10,000 homes
were damaged or destroyed.

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"/jahia/webdav/site/myjahiasite/shared/shared/mainsite/graphics/interface/icons_buttons/blue_link_box.gif"> "http://www.iomdonations.kintera.org/" target="_blank" title=
"">Help Victims of Typhoon Washi in the Philippines

"These funds will allow us to jumpstart our activities to meet
some of the needs that we have already identified in evacuation
centres and affected communities," says IOM Philippines Chief of
Mission Ovais Sarmad.

The money will provide 1,530 vulnerable families with non-food
relief items (NFIs), including plastic sheeting for emergency
shelter, sleeping mats, jerry cans and other essentials.
Beneficiaries will include families living in evacuation centres
and those returning to flood-affected communities.

As the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) "Cluster" lead
agency for Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) in Natural
Disasters, IOM immediately deployed teams to assess needs in
evacuation centres, displacement sites and other affected
communities.

It also participated in a joint assessment mission with
government line agencies led by the Office of Civil Defense and the
Mindanao Humanitarian Team (MHT).

For more information, please contact:

Dave Bercasio

IOM Mindanao

Tel: +63.908.865.4546

E-mail: "mailto:dbercasio@iom.int">dbercasio@iom.int