World Vision Philippines has launched an initial appeal for US$1 million through World Vision offices around the world, to enable an immediate aid response to the devastating loss of life and property caused by Typhoon Durian.
The agency, on Sunday, declared the emergency a Category One level disaster, which concentrates the relief effort through the national office but could increase this to a higher category once the three World Vision Philippines assessment teams have returned from the field and reported their findings.
Likewise, the plea for US$1 million is likely to be increased once there is a clearer picture of the devastation wreaked by the typhoon and a possibility of a response based on an understanding of some of the longer-term needs.
With road and telecom connections severely disrupted it has been extremely difficult to stay in touch with three assessment teams that were dispatched on Saturday. They are expected to return to their base in Legazpi City over the next few hours. A review of the category status will be made in 48 hours.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also declared on Sunday a State of National Calamity. This means that the government is seeking aid from the international community. Arroyo ordered an intensive search of remaining survivors from the mudslides in Albay.
Elnora Avarientos, national director World Vision Philippines, said: "This has been a truly devastating typhoon with more than 200,000 families affected and 320 people killed. It is going to be a huge challenge getting desperately needed aid to the affected villages because of mudslides, and washed-out roads and bridges."
World Vision Philippines will provide food and non-food items to, initially, 20,000 people within the week. The target number of beneficiaries is also likely to be increased should the disaster category steps into higher level. World Vision Philippines has been closely coordinating with the local government units, and national and provincial disaster councils on the assistance to be provided by World Vision.
World Vision Philippines is also preparing to establish Child Friendly Spaces, protected areas, which provide children with the help they need to relieve the trauma they have experienced and enable them to live normal lives.
"We will ensure that the needs of the people, especially the children, are addressed. The people will need food, blankets, mattresses, medicines, tents and all the basics required to survive the destruction and damage of their homes. Whole villages are buried in mud and boulders. People are desperate. We need US$1 million now to respond to the Philippines typhoon and I would humbly appeal to the World Vision Partnership to commit money as soon as possible," Ms Avarientos added.
Typhoon Durian (Philippines codename: Reming) smashed through the Bicol Region, particularly the provinces of Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur and Marinduque, early Thursday (30 November), The mudslides, triggered by the heavy rains of the Typhoon, has left thousands homeless, covering villages with mud and boulders, and killing hundreds.
Based on the figures released by the Office of Civil Defense:
ÃÂ÷Around 320 people were killed, 416 injured and 301 missing. Most casualties were recorded in Albay. Close to 300 persons were recovered from the mudflow of lava from Mt. Mayon.
.Close to 30,000 homes were totally destroyed while 91,430 homes were partially damaged.
.The typhoon has affected 201,927 families or 832,549 persons.
.A total of 3,337 families or nearly 17,000 persons sought temporary shelter in 100 evacuation sites.
.Damage to properties (infrastructure and agriculture) is estimated at Philippines Pesos (PHP) 34.2 million, approximately US $650,000
.An unreported number of school buildings have also been heavily damaged in Catanduanes, Albay, Marinduque and Camarines Sur.
ÃÂ÷Power and communication lines are still cut in the Bicol Region.
ÃÂ÷Many roads are still not passable due to flooding, fallen trees and electric posts, land slides and mudflow
Area Development Programmes (ADPs) affected: for use in donor / sponsor relations
Two ADPs were moderately affected by Typhoon Durian. These are:
ÃÂ÷Green Valley ADP in Sorsogon (World Vision US funded): moderate damage to property, major communication and power outage, no casualties, no sponsored children affected. The rapid assessment team continues to assess covered areas. The ADP has just been recovering from the huge damage caused by Typhoon Xangsane (Philippine codename: Milenyo) last September.
ÃÂ÷Mapaglingap ADP in Quezon (World Vision Australia funded): moderate damage to property, moderate power outage, no casualties.
ÃÂ÷No ADPs is located in Camarines Norte but the province is a covered for a World Vision-led program to combat child labor through education, the ABK Initiative funded by the US Department of Labor. Four ABKI sponsored families were reported to have damaged houses.
To arrange a media interview please first call:
Diwa A. Gacosta, Comms Officer (based in Manila)
Office Number(s) and extension: (+63-2) 374-7618 to 28 loc 151
Mobile: (+63)- 9209029167
E-mail address (work): diwa_gacosta@wvi.org
E-mail address (extra in case the server breaks down): jarahmail@yahoo.com
Returned from assessments:
Jose (Boy) Bersales, Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs director WV Philippines
Mobile +(63)-9167876420
+(63)-92-15601949
Ms Dominique M. Tabora WV Philippines Communications Manager
Telefax: (+63-2) 3763274
Mobile No. 09178735458
Email: dominique_tabora@wvi.org
Funding agencies interested in pledging money / seeking proposals please contact:
Ms. Florelin Tiu
Mobile No. (+63) 9178134247
Email:bebeth_tiu@wvi.org
Ms. Xenia Legaspi
Mobile No. (+63) 9177949835
Email: xenia_legazpi@wvi.org
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
