MANILA - Children, especially those under 5 years old, are the most at risk for fatal diseases in overcrowded typhoon evacuation centers, a humanitarian agency said on Friday.

According to the Save the Children Organization, more than half of the children in evacuation centers are already sick because of unsanitary conditions and the lack of clean food and water.

An average of 300 families fill each of about 200 evacuation centers in Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces, with each family having at least one child among them. Government figures indicate that 1.6 million out of the 3.9 million people affected by Tropical Storm “Ondoy” are children. Of this number, 780,000 are 5 years old and below, while 195,000 are less than a year old.

Common ailments that afflict these children - including babies - are cough and colds, diarrhea, skin infections, pulmonary disease, and malnutrition.

"Living in cramped and unsanitary conditions, children's exposure to these diseases is amplified. It is critical now to address the lack of sanitation systems and clean water that are resulting in widespread illness and disease," said Latha Caleb, Save the Children's Country Director, in a press statement.

"Jerico", one of the hundreds of children who occupy the evacuation center at Ultra Stadium in Pasig, for example, has complained of skin infections, loose bowel, cough and colds since he came to the shelter with his family.

"Hindi malinis. Katabi mo, nalalanghap dumi ng aso, tao, toilet. (It's not clean here. You smell the excrement of dogs, people. You're next to the toilet)," he said.

Even infants are suffering from a variety of illnesses. A 1-year-old girl named Elizabeth, who also lives at the Ultra evacuation center, is severely malnourished and is also suffering from diarrhea. She weighs just 6 pounds when her normal weight should reportedly be 12 pounds.

"Matamlay po... hindi siya ganyan noon. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. (She has no energy, she wasn't like that before. I don't know what to do)," her mother said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

Save the Children organization emphasizes the need for clean water and clean surroundings at evacuation centers. Latha Caleb, the group's director, emphasized in a press statement that simple measures like keeping babies warm and ensuring that they have skilled help at birth can save children's lives.

Psychological help is also crucial for children who were separated from their parents or traumatized by their experiences during the disaster.

Save the Children has already distributed 6,000 relief kits that include clothing, blankets, and hygiene supplies. They have also reportedly set up "child-friendly" spaces or play areas for children at select evacuation centers. Report by Niña Corpuz, ABS-CBN News