Close to P28 million will be needed to provide continuous access to reproductive health services, including prevention of gender-based violence, for more than half a million survivors of super typhoon Bopha (locally named Pablo) that devastated a southern Philippines region last week.

Of the amount, P19.4 million will be allocated to support government to integrate emergency reproductive health services into the primary health care for the affected communities in the worst-hit provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. Some P8.2 million will be required to prevent gender based violence in the camps and respond to such cases through psychosocial, medical and legal services.

Government data shows that as of 09 December, of the more than 5 million people affected, there are some 134,000 still temporarily sheltered in 172 evacuation centers in the worst-affected provinces mostly in Davao Region (Region XI). Initial assessment showed that thousands of houses, school buildings and government structures, including health facilities, were totally destroyed. Access to safe drinking water is lacking due to busted water systems. Mudslides and landslides have also rendered major roads impassable, making it more difficult to deliver relief supplies to the affected areas.

The situation in most evacuation centers is described as chaotic as there was still no government agency taking charge of camp management. Most of the displaced population who have opted to leave overcrowded evacuation centers in the past few days have set up makeshift shelters along the roads. Electricity remains suspended in most areas.

Private doctors are conducting medical missions in some evacuation centers but mostly for general medical care. There are no specific medical services for pregnant and lactating women. Privacy, hygiene and availability of basic services are also among the concerns in evacuation centers that could lead to protection risks.

UNFPA is mobilizing its partners to conduct reproductive health medical missions and health information sessions for the two hardest hit provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. Trained youth volunteers will also be deployed for the listing of pregnant and lactating women. Reproductive health kits, including hygiene kits, have been pre-positioned and ready for distribution. The two provinces have also requested for assistance in activating a humanitarian assistance sub-cluster for the prevention of gender-based violence.