WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Piece by piece, the nation is getting a clearer picture of the damage wrought by Typhoon Odette (Rai), which barreled through parts of Mindanao and the Visayas a week before Christmas.
Rappler brings you the latest from the people affected and the areas hardest hit by Odette, the Philippines’ 15th tropical cyclone in 2021.
Bookmark and refresh this page for updates on the death toll, government response, and disaster relief operations, as well as the power, water, and mobile signal situation, in the aftermath of Odette.
LATEST UPDATES
Typhoon Odette exposes biodiversity haven Palawan’s vulnerability – and resilience
Experts say the storm-damaged forests at Palawan’s Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park can recover – if they aren’t disturbed by human incursions, fires, or additional storms.
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A month after Typhoon Odette, Dinagat governor still lives in tent
When a group from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Philippines went to Dinagat Islands to assess the devastation brought about by Typhoon Odette (Rai), its chief of mission was astounded to see that the province’s governor was living in a tent.
One month a/f #Odette, I went to Dinagat & met Gov Kaka.Her home was destroyed & she is living in a tent herself! I don’t know any Governor in the world living in a tent…She works around the clock for her community- setting up markets, kitchens, shelter, etc. Amazing lady!! pic.twitter.com/RS7myb79HM
— Kristin Dadey (@KristinDadey) January 25, 2022
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Iligan volunteers brew artisan coffee for free in Odette-battered Siargao
A planned side activity becomes the highlight of the community service of volunteers led by Iligan coffee shop owner Ryan Mueco – they have gifted islanders with a small luxury amid the devastation.
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DA’s final tally: Typhoon Odette’s damage to agriculture hit P13.3 billion
Typhoon Odette (Rai) wiped out P13.3 billion worth of agricultural goods, the final tally of the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed.
A total of 462,766 hectares were affected, with 273,062 metric tons of agricultural goods lost due to the typhoon.
More details here.
Swiss chef returns to Odette-ravaged Siargao to cook in community kitchen
Ivo Zwicker, who lost his restaurant during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in Siargao, thought of leaving the Philippines but has a change of heart.
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Japan extends $13-M aid for PH’s Typhoon Odette response
The government of Japan announced on Friday, January 14, it would be providing $13 million (around P663 million) in emergency grant aid to the Philippines to help in the rehabilitation efforts after Typhoon Odette.
The typhoon in December 2021 brought damage to several regions across the country, mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao.
The aid will be coursed through the following international organizations, which will be providing food, shelter, non-food items, health, and water and sanitation services to survivors:
- World Food Programme – $5 million
- International Organization for Migration – $4.2 million
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – $1.83 million
- United Nations Children’s Fund or UNICEF – $1.6 million
- United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs or OCHA – $0.2 million
- Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or UNHCR – $0.17 million
Dinagat slowly transitions from relief to rebuilding efforts
“While I saw such a devastating sight, warm smiles still greeted us. Yet my heart told me otherwise – the people just suppressed their pains and frustrations,” says Father Raymond Ambray, director of the Ecology and Environment Desk of Tandag Catholic Diocese.
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SSS offers calamity assistance to members, pensioners affected by Typhoon Odette
The Social Security System (SSS) will offer a Calamity Assistance Package to members and pensioners affected by Typhoon Odette starting January 14.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer AuroraIgnacio said that the Calamity Assistance Package consists of the Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) and Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan for members, and the three-month advance pension for pensioners in areas affected by Typhoon Odette as declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
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Young journalist treks to shore to get signal and report on Olango Island after Odette
On the isolated Cebu island of Olango, information has become a struggle after Typhoon Odette took down the cell tower serving the 42,000 residents on the island.
But for Elmer Tradio, 21, the lack of signal is not a reason to stop publishing.
“After Typhoon Odette, we at OLIB (Olango Island Bulletin) we still do our best [to post], even if we don’t have electricity or internet, we try to find ways,” Tradio told Rappler in Cebuano.
Read more.