MANILA, Philippines – Help continues to pour into Eastern Visayas 4 months after it was devastated by the deadliest typhoon worldwide, and actress KC Concepcion has joined the efforts to help feed the affected families.

KC, World Food Programme’s National Ambassador Against Hunger, flew to Leyte on Thursday, April 9, to distribute specialized foods to children in the areas affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan).

These ready-to-eat supplementary foods and micronutrient powder can help contribute to improve the health of almost 100,000 undernourished children. 

As WFP ambassador since 2008, KC has been campaigning to raise awareness about the hunger problem in the country. She has also supported relief operations in conflict-affected areas and natural disasters. 

In the Visayas, she has assisted the WFP in providing assistance to 8,000 families with more than 5,000 children 6-59 months old. 

Watch an interview with KC Concepion on her work with WFP below

Relief to recovery

Natural disasters can cause high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition, according to the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC).

Immediately after the disaster, the WFP provided food to people in the worst affected areas such as Leyte, Samar, Northern Cebu, and Panay Island in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). As of February 31, the WFP was able to reach over 3 million affected people. 

Overall, the WFP has donated almost $88 million in food assistance to the victims of Yolanda. 

The WFP is now transitioning to recovery and rehabilitation programs, such as livelihood, cash, and nutrition assistance to almost 3 million people. 

Continuous efforts

With the devastated areas still struggling to go back to their normal lives, the Philippines government and non-governmental organizations go hand in hand in leading rehabilitation efforts. 

Named as the deadliest typhoon that hit 9 regions in the Philippines, Yolanda left 6,201 dead and 28,626 injured. 

When the national government stopped updating its figures, about 14.1 million people were reported to have been affected, including displaced and deceased. – Rappler.com