Torrential rains struck the provinces of Visayas and Mindanao in the Philippines on16 December 2011, resulting in massive destruction caused by flashfloods and landslides, with rows of houses deluged and leaving entire villages submerged in flood waters. As of 20 December, more than 950 people have been reported dead, with close to 135,100 people left homeless and severely affected by this disaster.  

Currently, the biggest issue facing the victims is the lack of clean drinking water. World Vision’s relief response will focus on families in the hardest-hit cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan to provide food and non-food items to approximately 10,000 families; delivering clean water, food, clothing, blankets, mats and medicines over the initial emergency relief phase. World Vision will also set up Child-Friendly Spaces to provide psycho-social support to children distressed by the disaster.

As the floods has brought upon severe impact on livelihoods, World Vision will be providing long-term assistance by implementing early recovery programmes to help restore families to pre-disaster conditions and regain normalcy in their daily lives.

The impact on Area Development Programmes (ADPs) in the affected areas is minimal and all sponsored and registered children have been accounted for. There is no report of loss of life or injuries in ADP communities.