Thursday, October 8, 2009

Philippines warns of epidemics amid flood victims

Terra Daily via Agence France-Presse: The Philippines warned Wednesday there was a high probability of epidemics among the 340,000 people crowded into poorly equipped makeshift evacuation centres following recent deadly floods. As the government also admitted it had no idea when those left homeless in the September 26 disaster would be resettled, international aid agencies stepped up their efforts to help the flood victims.

"Epidemic potential in some areas is very, very high," Health Secretary Francisco Duque told reporters after visiting one camp housing 8,000 people in a northern part of Manila, the nation's capital.

The government has already faced fierce criticism for its response to the disaster, which claimed at least 295 lives when tropical storm Ketsana dumped the heaviest rains in over four decades on Manila and neighbouring areas. Duque said that, 11 days after the floods, only 240 portable toilets had been delivered to the more than 500 evacuation shelters that had been set up at gymnasiums, schools and large sports arenas….

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