Distribution of Emergency Health Kits in Tacloban City IOM and AmeriCares provide essential medicines and medical supplies to communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan Last week, the IOM Tacloban medical team distributed emergency health kits to different bunkhouses and transitional sites in Tacloban City, Leyte. The emergency health kits, which can provide support for up to a month, were donated by AmeriCares and were distributed in six places around Tacloban City, namely in the Nation Housing Authority bunkhouse, Abucay bunkhouse, Cali transitional site, Tagpuro transitional site, International Pharmaceutic incorporated bunkhouse and in the Local Government Unit Complex. These donations will benefit more than 6,100 persons. Tacloban was one of the most severely affected cities by Typhoon Haiyan that made landfall in the Philippines on 8 November 2013. Due to a large demand, the affected communities experienced serious shortage of essential medical supplies immediately after the typhoon. Therefore, it is important that these communities are prepared with essential medicines and medical supplies in case of future natural disasters.
Distribution of emergency health kits in Cali transitional shelter ©IOM 2015
Distribution of emergency health kits in Abucay bunkhouse ©IOM 2015
An emergency health kit includes for example adhesive tape, digital thermometers, elastic bondage, zinc sulfate, paracetamol tablets and many other medicines. Marco Boasso, IOM Philippines Chief of Mission, expressed his gratitude to AmeriCares: “IOM truly appreciates the partnership and support we have received from AmeriCares. Through our common work and activities in the Haiyan affected areas, we are ensuring that affected communities receive the assistance they need and at the same time we are enhancing their resilience for future disasters. These emergency health kits will make sure communities are better prepared and have the necessary medical supplies needed during and after a disaster”. Map of Tacloban City ©IOM 2015
Distribution of emergency health kits in Tagpuro transitional shelter © IOM 2015
IOM Philippines | Tel: +63 2 230 1999 | E-mail: iomphilippines@iom.int | Website: http://philippineresponse.iom.int |Twitter: @IOM_Philippines Issued 25 February 2015