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| Two days after Typhoon Ketsana, World Vision Philippines drops 75 relief packs containing food and bottled water, with the help of the Coast Guard helicopters which hovered over the rooftops of Cainta and Pasig residences. Flood waters remain receding slowly, and many are still trapped. World Vision targets to help over 100,000 people ń with food and non-food items in four of the worst affected areas of Manila, namely: Marikina, Cainta, Rizal and Pasig. Photo by World Vision Philippines. |
Typhoon Ketsana has submerged 80% of the Philippines capital and has affected over 400,000 in Manila as well as neighbouring provinces.
The typhoon, known locally as Ondoy, packed maximum wind speeds of up to 110 kph, brought a month’s rain in less than seven hours and killed at least 100 people – making it the worst disaster to hit the capital in decades.
World Vision Philippines is appealing for US $2 million to help 20,000 families – over 100,000 people – with food and non-food items in four of the worst affected areas of Manila: Marikina, Cainta, Rizal and Pasig. Thousands of homes in these areas, many of them poor settlements by rivers are still badly affected. Many lost everything to ceiling-high flood waters that brought with it mud, debris and garbage and which left victims on their roofs for as long as 20 hours without food or water.
World Vision Philippines National Director Elnora Avarientos said, “The impact of this typhoon on Manila has been shocking. The city is in a state of trauma and unbelief following this massive and sudden flooding. This natural disaster has indeed equalised us all. Many have lost everything, including bedding, food, educational materials and clothing. The poorest living in slums and settlements are badly hit especially. We urgently need donations to meet our appeal of US $2 million to respond to 100,000 people.”
World Vision Philippines Humanitarian Emergency Affairs Director Jose “Boy” Bersales said: “Houses were flooded in just few minutes so people were not able to bring their belongings or food into evacuation centres. Others have had to wait on their rooftops to be rescued.”
Most of the city has been covered in mud. Those who managed to flee on foot were left grappling with surging water, floating debris and water up to their necks. A number of dead bodies, most of which are children and elderly, were seen floating in the water in areas still flooded, while some bodies were found along the streets in areas where water has subsided.
“World Vision Philippines is deeply concerned for children and families who were affected by the raging floodwaters, especially those who have been trapped for hours in the rain on their rooftops. We are appealing for donations to reach 20,000 families,” said Bersales.
On Sunday afternoon, World Vision Philippines deployed teams to assess the damage. “World Vision Philippines staff found that thousands of children and their families were in urgent need of food and water,” he said.
World Vision Philippines is now building a response programme based around providing food and non-food items and helping communities recover by organising food and cash for work programmes to clean up streets, community structures and schools. Staff will also be setting up child friendly spaces.
Relief has also been dispatched. World Vision Philippines has been working in Partnership with the Philippine Coastguard to get aid out, including by helicopters, delivering 75 relief packs to people, including families trapped on roofs, in some of the worst affected areas.
World Vision Philippines staff have also been impacted by the floods. Scores found their homes suddenly flooded, other staff had to flee to the World Vision Philippines office which housed families overnight and 25 of them have received emergency aid for themselves.
World Vision Philippines is working closely with other international non-governmental organisations, the National Disaster Coordinating Council and rescue teams, as well as with local large companies who are providing food for distribution via World Vision Philippines, along with corporate donations.
World Vision Philippines programme areas in Zambales and Bataan where recent relief operations were conducted were not spared. In Bataan, nearly 2,000 families were affected while in Zambales, there are 1,648 families living in 11 evacuation centers at the moment.
The World Vision Philippines programme in Cavite, a province south of Manila, has also dispatched teams in hard hit areas to assess the extent of damage and gather information on the number of affected families.
I WISH TO HELP!
World Vision in Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are aiming to raise funds to support the emergency relief and rehabilitation plans in Typhoon Ketsana floods that have swept across the nation, destroying the lives of many.
If you wish to help, please click here, and indicate that your contribution is for the Typhoon Ketsana floods in Manila. |
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