DSWD: 9.5 million people affected by typhoon Yolanda

MANILA, Philippines – More than 2.1 million familes are affected by typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan), according to the Philippine government’s latest estimates. 

This equates to around 9.53 million individuals, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as of 12nn Sunday, November 10. 

DSWD also estimates that some 96,039 displaced families with 449,416 individuals are staying in 1,790 evacuation centers. Some 36,600 other families composed of 182,379 individuals have sought shelter in homes of friends and relatives.

Extent of damage

The local government units in regions IV-A and B, V, VI, VII, VIII, X and CARAGA continue to assess the extent of the damage caused by the super typhoon.

The provinces in Region VIII were among the most badly damaged.

According to initial reports, at least 300 people were killed and 2,000 are missing Samar province. 2 towns in Eastern Samar – Giporlos and Guiuan – were 95 percent damaged according to eyewitness accounts. No clear estimates of casualties or survivors in the 2 towns had been recorded due to the damage.

In the neighboring island of Leyte, the provincial government estimates that there are at least 10,000 people killed.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRM) also said there were fatalities in Calabarzon, MIMAROPA and Western Visayas.

Vast areas of the affected provinces still are without communication lines. (Read: Globe, Smart: 2-3 days to restore services)

The DSWD map below shows affected areas and government response efforts. 

Relief ongoing

DSWD had already extended P10.6 million worth of relief assistance to the affected regions.

In Tacloban City, DSWD and the local government set up a satellite internet service at the city hall to help victims communicate with their relatives.

Social Welfare secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, who led the distribution of goods in Tacloban City, admitted the absence of communication lines hinder relief operations.

“The relief operations are hampered by lack of communication and inaccessibility of the worst-hit towns, cities and barangays, but we from DSWD and other government agencies are doing our best to reach the affected population,” Soliman added.

Repacking of relief goods continue at the DSWD – National Resource Operations Center (NROC) on a 24-hour shifting schedule. Field offices in Iloilo and Cebu are also open for volunteers.

Soliman thanked the 1,906 volunteers who assisted in repacking relief goods at the DSWD-NROC since November 7.

“We are expecting more volunteers during the weekend when there is no work or school. Some are regular volunteers who have been helping out at NROC every time there is a disaster,” Soliman noted. – Rappler.com

Get the latest info on the status of areas affected by typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan).

Help the victims of Yolanda. Visit Rappler’s list of ongoing relief operations in your area. Tell us about your relief and recovery initiatives, email move.ph@rappler.com or tweet us @moveph.

Visit rappler.com/typhoon-yolanda for the latest updates on Typhoon Yolanda.

 

More from our coverage:

• #ReliefPH: Victims of Typhoon Yolanda need your help
• Iloilo under state of calamity
• President’s ‘pork,’ savings to fund Yolanda relief efforts
• Tacloban hospital faces medicine shortage
• Land route from Manila to Tacloban now passable – Roxas
• Worried Pinoys use social media to find loved ones
• Tacloban Diary: I saw death, I fear anarchy
• TIMELINE: Super Typhoon Yolanda
• WRAP: Hundreds feared dead as Yolanda exits PH