World Vision begins relief operation amid typhoon Henry

MANILA, Philippines – World Vision launches its relief response targeting children and families impacted by typhoon Glenda (Rammasun).

Damage and loss in agriculture and infrastructure reached P7.4 B while casualties increased to 94 deaths, 437 injured and 6 missing according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The first wave of relief supplies will be delivered within the week to 600 households in Sorsogon and Albay. Supplies available to be distributed include shelter repair kits, mats, blankets and mosquito nets.

“World Vision is able to mobilize quickly because our teams partner with local organizations who are based in the hard hit areas,” says Cesar Bautista, Response Manager for World Vision’s Glenda Response. World Vision has been serving in the Bicol areas since 1982 and has partnered with various multi-sectoral groups for relief and development initiatives.

In Casiguran, Sorsogon 18-year-old Joy’s damaged house is temporarily covered with blue tarpaulin and scrap coco lumbers. “My parents couldn’t buy housing repair materials due to lack of money,” she shares.

Her mother, Salud, 40, said, “I only borrowed money for the tarpaulin. It costs P500. My friend, who loaned this to me, said I can pay her when I have the money.”

Salud’s husband is a fisherman earning P500 on peak days. The amount is divided between the basic and school needs of his family. With strong rains and future typhoons threatening coastal communities, families like Salud’s are now hurrying to finish makeshift repairs to make their houses habitable after typhoon Glenda hit.

Fishing villages bear the brunt of typhoon Glenda’s devastation with families finding their washed-out houses and fishing livelihoods in shambles. In Sorsogon, over 50,000 people are now displaced after the big waves and damaging winds ripped across entire fishing villages.

World Vision Public Engagement Director Minnie Portales shares, “We urge the public to support our relief efforts in order to bring much needed aid to thousands of Filipinos who lost their homes.”

Initially responding in Albay and Sorsogon, World Vision aims to assist 2,350 affected families (11,750 individuals) by providing shelter repair kits and emergency supplies to help them recover and prepare for extreme weather conditions. – Rappler.com 

For more information, visit the World Vision website.