Aid workers trek through 38 landslides
-9/12/04
Piles of logs, floodwater and rivers of
Aid workers trek through 38 landslides
-9/12/04
Piles of logs, floodwater and rivers of mud are hampering the aid effort in the Philippines and the delays are causing desperate victims of the fourth typhoon in two weeks to fight over what aid is getting through.
Christian relief and development charity, World Vision, has reported that gaining access to survivors has been a major concern for those coordinating the relief response.
Typhoon ‘Nanmadol’ was the last of four storms that battered the country bringing the total of dead and missing to 1000 and those in need of help to half a million.
Thousands of homes were destroyed or damaged and large areas of farmland were washed away. As heavy rain continued for days, massive landslides due to soil erosion wiped out communications, roads and transportation.
World Visionís relief team manager Minnie Portales said her staff had no choice but to walk for 12 hours in knee-deep muddied roads through 38 landslides to deliver aid to the residents of the town of Real.
ìThis is a catastrophe. The towns of Infanta, Real and General Nakar are said to be 80 to 90 per cent covered in water and mud.”
ìWe are working urgently to get aid through to these communities, although most areas are extremely difficult to access. Roads are submerged and some relief efforts have had to be made on foot. When we did finally arrive at Real people started fighting for whatever aid was available.î
The charityís Deputy Director in the Philippines Dan Lucero explained that, in an effort to avoid people scrabbling for aid, the agency set up a temporary soup kitchen in the town.
ìIf people are fed, we hope it will lessen the tension in the queues for food. But most important of all, we can provide immediate relief for hunger.î
Despite the treacherous conditions, World Vision continues to work alongside the countryís National Disaster Coordinating Council, the Philippinesí Coast Guard and the Philippines’ Air Force to get critical relief supplies to towns including Real and Dingalan. Its aid workers plan to distribute food and vital household equipment to a total of 21,500 vulnerable families in the next two weeks.
One family that has already benefited from the aid distribution is the Orcozo family. For Debbie Orcozo, a mother of four and a resident of Tanauan in Real, the flash-flood on December 1st was a nightmare that turned into reality. In a matter of seconds – as she gathered her young children together – flood waters and thick mud buried half of their house and wiped out the pig pen in the backyard.
ìThere had been continued heavy rains,ì said Debbie.
ìThen at six in the evening, there was a loud explosion. Water, mud and branches from fallen trees, came rushing into the house like a huge bulldozer. Itís the sort of situation you see on television, it never occurred to me this would happen to us and that one flood could change our lives forever.î
Fortunately the family survived, and in spite of their loss, Debbie was quick to count her blessings. Her family was among the first recipients of World Visionís assistance. After getting her relief pack, the 29-year old mother spoke of her gratitude.
ìThis help will last us for days,î she said. ìI never imagined in my whole life I would someday be a recipient of relief assistance. But, most of all, I am thankful to God that my family was spared.î
World Vision is a Christian charity and one of the worldís leading relief and development agencies, currently helping more than 100 million people in nearly 100 countries in their struggle against poverty, hunger and injustice, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Aid workers trek through 38 landslides
-9/12/04
Piles of logs, floodwater and rivers of mud are hampering the aid effort in the Philippines and the delays are causing desperate victims of the fourth typhoon in two weeks to fight over what aid is getting through.
Christian relief and development charity, World Vision, has reported that gaining access to survivors has been a major concern for those coordinating the relief response.
Typhoon ‘Nanmadol’ was the last of four storms that battered the country bringing the total of dead and missing to 1000 and those in need of help to half a million.
Thousands of homes were destroyed or damaged and large areas of farmland were washed away. As heavy rain continued for days, massive landslides due to soil erosion wiped out communications, roads and transportation.
World Visionís relief team manager Minnie Portales said her staff had no choice but to walk for 12 hours in knee-deep muddied roads through 38 landslides to deliver aid to the residents of the town of Real.
ìThis is a catastrophe. The towns of Infanta, Real and General Nakar are said to be 80 to 90 per cent covered in water and mud.”
ìWe are working urgently to get aid through to these communities, although most areas are extremely difficult to access. Roads are submerged and some relief efforts have had to be made on foot. When we did finally arrive at Real people started fighting for whatever aid was available.î
The charityís Deputy Director in the Philippines Dan Lucero explained that, in an effort to avoid people scrabbling for aid, the agency set up a temporary soup kitchen in the town.
ìIf people are fed, we hope it will lessen the tension in the queues for food. But most important of all, we can provide immediate relief for hunger.î
Despite the treacherous conditions, World Vision continues to work alongside the countryís National Disaster Coordinating Council, the Philippinesí Coast Guard and the Philippines’ Air Force to get critical relief supplies to towns including Real and Dingalan. Its aid workers plan to distribute food and vital household equipment to a total of 21,500 vulnerable families in the next two weeks.
One family that has already benefited from the aid distribution is the Orcozo family. For Debbie Orcozo, a mother of four and a resident of Tanauan in Real, the flash-flood on December 1st was a nightmare that turned into reality. In a matter of seconds – as she gathered her young children together – flood waters and thick mud buried half of their house and wiped out the pig pen in the backyard.
ìThere had been continued heavy rains,ì said Debbie.
ìThen at six in the evening, there was a loud explosion. Water, mud and branches from fallen trees, came rushing into the house like a huge bulldozer. Itís the sort of situation you see on television, it never occurred to me this would happen to us and that one flood could change our lives forever.î
Fortunately the family survived, and in spite of their loss, Debbie was quick to count her blessings. Her family was among the first recipients of World Visionís assistance. After getting her relief pack, the 29-year old mother spoke of her gratitude.
ìThis help will last us for days,î she said. ìI never imagined in my whole life I would someday be a recipient of relief assistance. But, most of all, I am thankful to God that my family was spared.î
World Vision is a Christian charity and one of the worldís leading relief and development agencies, currently helping more than 100 million people in nearly 100 countries in their struggle against poverty, hunger and injustice, irrespective of their religious beliefs.