OTTAWA, Nov. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Red Cross will deploy its field hospital to the Philippines, to provide basic health and surgical care to communities affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan. The devastating storm has disrupted water, sanitation and basic health services for millions of people.
"The humanitarian impact of Typhoon Haiyan appears to have been colossal," says Conrad Sauvé, secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. "Thanks to a partnership with the Government of Canada, we are able to send our field hospital to help provide life-saving medical services to affected individuals."
The Canadian Red Cross field hospital will support the Philippine Red Cross and local health authorities in meeting the needs in affected communities. This hospital can cover the health needs of a population of over 100,000 people, and treat patients by admitting them in the clinic or through out-patient services. The hospital can treat up to 300 people per day as out-patients and can provide immunization for 1,000 children if needed. This unit will also have additional surgical capacity of up to 70 in-patient beds. The hospital will be supported by personnel and material from both the Norwegian Red Cross and Hong Kong Red Cross, and will be deployed with a core team of 12 Canadian medical and support staff.
The emergency response unit is made possible through a strategic partnership between the Red Cross and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. Thanks to the Government of Canada's ongoing support, the Canadian Red Cross maintains the capacity to rapidly deploy highly qualified and trained emergency response personnel to provide health care during humanitarian crises around the world.
"Canada is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan," said Minister Paradis. "We stand ready to continue to work with our international and Canadian humanitarian partners, including the Canadian Red Cross, to ensure humanitarian needs are met and provide further assistance if required."
Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines on November 8, and has caused widespread destruction. More than 618,000 people have been displaced and water, sanitation, medicine and shelter are needed immediately. Flooding, landslides and damaged infrastructure continue to hamper access to some hard-hit communities.
The Red Cross has been on the ground since before the storm hit, helping to evacuate families in coastal areas and supporting emergency shelters, is providing urgently needed basic services to affected communities. The International Red Cross is co-ordinating closely with the Philippine Red Cross and has a global network of trained disaster response experts and pre-positioned emergency supplies ready to deploy if needed.
Canadians wishing to help those affected by this storm are encouraged to make a financial donation online at www.redcross.ca, at their local Red Cross office or by calling 1-800-418-1111. Please earmark donations "Typhoon Haiyan". The Government of Canada will match the donations of individual Canadians between November 8 and December 9, 2013.
The Canadian Red Cross emergency response unit is a crucial part of the Red Cross Movement's emergency response capacities. The modular field clinic system has previously provided urgent care during public health emergencies in Haiti, Chad, Pakistan, Sierra Leone and Mozambique.
SOURCE: Canadian Red Cross
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Note to editor photos available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/canadian_redcross/sets/72157637559331833/
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