IOM began a second wave of humanitarian aid distributions this week
to help over 8,000 families affected by tropical storm Mirinae, the
most recent of five typhoons to hit the Philippines in the past six
weeks.

The distributions of hygiene and cleaning kits including
shovels, brooms, scrubs and gloves will continue through the end of
the week in two of the hardest hit areas – Region IV-A
(Calabarzon) and the National Capital Region (NCR). 

In mid-October IOM distributed 20,000 hygiene kits and water
containers contributed by USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster
Assistance (OFDA) to typhoon-affected families in the two
areas.

"IOM deployed assessment teams immediately after the storm
kicked in on Sunday. These relief items will go to the most
vulnerable families in Laguna in Region IV-A and Muntinlupa in
NCR," said IOM Regional Representative for East Asia Charles
Harns.

Recent government reports indicate that over 60,000 families
were affected by Mirinae, straining the already stretched capacity
of responding agencies, particularly in Region IV-A.

IOM has appealed for some USD 10 million to provide health
services, emergency shelter and non-food relief items for the
victims, and to help the government organize evacuation centres and
other displacement sites.

The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the European
Commission (ECHO), and USAID (OFDA) have already committed nearly
USD 2.25 million, which will allow IOM to help some 61,000 families
over the next three months.

For further information, please contact:

Joanna Dabao

IOM Manila

Tel: +63.02.848.12.60 ext. 186

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