Typhoon Haiyan, Philippines

ILO Director-General extends condolences to the Government and people of the Philippines

Statement | Geneva | 12 November 2013
The ILO extends our deepest sympathy, and our solidarity, to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan and their families. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the damage the typhoon has inflicted on the people and the country. The scale of the destruction, and the suffering, is truly shocking.

Although emergency operations are still in their early stages, it is already clear that relief and reconstruction needs will be enormous. Millions of people have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan, many of whom were already living in vulnerable, precarious conditions with little or no social protection to fall back on.

The victims of the typhoon need food, water, shelter and basic healthcare and they also need to begin to rebuild their lives. We urge the international community to be generous in their support.

The ILO will work with the government, workers, and businesses of the Philippines to launch emergency employment and ‘cash-for-work’ programmes, as part of the UN family’s effort to help rebuild communities and livelihoods.