Media release

12 November 2013

Disability aid organisation cbm urges Kiwis to provide urgent relief to those most vulnerable in the Philippines

Typhoon Haiyan is set to become the Philippines deadliest natural disaster. As many as 10,000 people are believed dead after one of the worst storms ever recorded unleashed violent winds and giant waves, washing away entire towns and displacing hundreds of thousands.

cbm, an international aid organisation who works to support persons with disabilities living in the world’s poorest countries, is urging the emergency response teams to remember those most at risk.

Darren Ward, National Director for cbm New Zealand, believes that persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable during a disaster; “They are the first to be forgotten and the last to be remembered”, he says.

Research into the 2012 earthquake and tsunami in Japan shows that the mortality rate among persons with disabilities is more than double of the rest of the population.

“cbm is extremely concerned and saddened by the reports of loss of life and the terrible scenes of devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. However, it is very important to ensure the emergency response following the typhoon is and remains disability inclusive,” Mr Ward said.

An inclusive emergency response is taking into account the needs of persons with disabilities, with rescuers providing adapted support where necessary.

According to cbm, for every person that dies during a disaster, it is estimated that three people sustain an injury, many causing long-term disabilities.

cbm has now joined with other emergency responders in the Philippines to assess the damage and determine the needs of affected people. Based on the information gathered from cbm staff and partners, once the full extent of the damage and people’s immediate needs have been determined, cbm will work to provide the best support necessary for persons with disabilities affected by the disaster.

The immediate priorities for the emergency and aid services are to establish clean water, food, medication, appropriate shelter and sanitation systems.

How can you help? cbm has established the Philippines Emergency Appeal which will work to provide urgent relief for those in the disaster zone to donate please visit www.cbm-nz.org.nz

ENDS

About cbm

cbm is an international Christian development organisation, committed to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in the poorest communities of the world.

cbm has Member Associations raising funds and awareness of disability issues in 'industrialised' countries worldwide. In lower-income regions of the world, cbm strives to build the capacity of partner organisations. This is all done following proven core values and with more than 100 years of experience in the field of disability.

About the cbm Philippines Relief Programme

cbm currently have a team in the Philippines that are working to assess the situation in the coming days and to understand what exact support services partners require. This relief programme will allow the cbm emergency response team to provide on the ground aid to the country’s most vulnerable.

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