NEED A SOURCE: Disaster Response Experts available to speak on the humanitarian crisis following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - As the world watches the incredible devastation and destruction caused by Typhoon Haiyan, Plan International is on the ground with teams of technical experts to support the immediate delivery of clean drinking water, food, medical supplies, shelter, educational resources and psychosocial support.

"This is a tragedy on a national scale. Thousands of people have died and millions are affected. As more information becomes available, the scale of devastation grows. For every number in a statistic, there is a family whose life has been ripped apart," said Carin van der Hor, Plan Philippines Country Director. "We know from more than 50 years of experience working in the Philippines that when disasters hit, they always hit the most vulnerable the hardest. Children are always badly affected by disasters like this; some will lose their lives, or lose parents, siblings and extended families. These children will also have seen things that no child should have to see."

Plan International is one of the Philippines' longest-serving aid and development organizations and is recognized for its expertise in protecting emergency-affected children from abuse, exploitation, neglect and violence. Since children are most vulnerable in disaster situations, Plan International's efforts will be focused on children.

Available for interviews and comment on the current humanitarian crisis following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines:

In the Philippines:

• Carin van der Hor, Plan Philippines, Country Director
• Ian Wishart, Plan Australia, President and CEO
• Janis Ridsdel, Plan International, Global Child Protection in Emergencies Specialist

In Canada:

• Rosemary McCarney, Plan Canada, President and CEO

For more information on Plan's response to Typhoon Haiyan, please visit plancanada.ca

About Plan
Founded in 1937, Plan is one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. Because I am a Girl is Plan's global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls - and everyone around them - out of poverty. Visit plancanada.ca and becauseiamagirl.ca for more information.

Plan Canada is a proud member of the Humanitarian Coalition. The Humanitarian Coalition is a joint appeal mechanism. It is comprised of CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada.

With a combined presence in more than 120 countries, we bring together Canada's leading aid agencies to finance relief efforts in times of international humanitarian crises. We work together to eliminate unnecessary competition, reduce the duplication of fundraising costs, and inform the public on humanitarian needs. To make a donation for Typhoon Haiyan, go to www.together.ca or call 1-800-464-9154.

SOURCE: Plan Canada

MEDIA CONTACT:
Dena Allen, Senior Media & Public Relations Manager, Plan Canada
T: 416.920.1654 ext. 326  C: 416.723.6340
[email protected]