Joint Statement of Partido
ng Manggagawa Women’s Committee and Women’s Day Off
15 November 2013
It’s the 6th day of the aftermath of
super-typhoon Yolanda. Food
distribution, power and water supplies, communication and transportation have
remained big problems. Hence, victims
have become hungrier and more desperate.
According to Secretary Ochoa, government needs to produce 146,000 relief
packs a day. So far, it has only been able
to produce 50,000 per day. Various
groups, families of victims and individuals have mobilized relief goods but
these could not compensate for the big shortage. Logically, a significant number of people have
been going hungry for days.
Today, the situation has become even more distressing
as confirmed reports of rape began to surface, particularly in Tacloban City
The impact of disasters such as Yolanda on
reproductive health can be devastating. We
are equally concerned with displaced women who will be pregnant, face delivery
under dangerous conditions, and others who may be victims of violence. In addition to food and water, and other
basic needs, we expect the need for reproductive health services and
information to persist and even escalate.
The Philippine government should immediately set-up
temporary refuge/shelters to house women and children to isolate them from the
risk of rape and other forms of sexual abuse.
In the absence of hospitals or clinics nearby, makeshift health
facilities with essential items to ensure the health of women and newborns
should likewise be set-up. Finally,
makeshift toilets and baths with locks should also be constructed for the use
of women and children. Their safety is
as vital. Recovery and rehabilitation
will take time, hence, the importance of these temporary structures and
services for women and children.
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