World Vision assists 2,500 families affected by Typhoon ‘Carina’
World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. (World Vision Philippines) has rolled out relief efforts for children and families in its assisted areas in Metro Manila after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi).
In Quezon City, Malabon City, and the City of Manila, 2,500 households received non-food items kits, which included blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, and bath soaps.
“We are hoping these items could somehow help our kababayans. They have already been staying in evacuation centers for days,” shared the child-focused organization’s Interim National Director, Jun N. Godornes, during their first relief distribution in Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School, Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City.
Godornes thanked their partners and supporters for praying and helping their kababayans through the said ministry for the most vulnerable children and underserved communities.
In an interview with Katrina Hallare, World Vision’s Field Communications Specialist for Luzon, 8-year-old Noreen said she lost her school bag, notebooks and books to the flood.
Joanna, a resident of Kitanlad, Quezon City, recalled how they fled their residence as floodwaters reached the second floor of their house.
“Noong lumikas po kami, doon po kami sa may banda sa gilid lang po ng kalsada kasi hindi po kaya dito kasi yung anak ko po may hika din po,” (When we evacuated, we were at the side of the road because it was not possible here, and my kid had asthma.) she said.
Another resident, Emerita, 47, cried, narrating she almost lost her child to drowning. Her husband arrived just in time to save their child.
“The floods washed away our things. My children’s school supplies are gone. We don’t have mats where we can sleep; everything’s wet. All’s gone. I hope some people can help us,” Emerita said.
Key concerns determined were immediate and essential needs, including, but not limited to, food and water for affected families; restoration of damaged infrastructure and shelter due to flooding and landslides; Recovery assistance for the affected farmers and fisherfolks and provision of learning supplies for the students who lost their belongings to the flood.
Super Typhoon Carina and Typhoon Butchoy (international name Nepartak) affected 1,240,090 families or 4,553,752 persons and caused damage and losses to agriculture, amounting to Php 355,604,659.33.
World Vision continues to align with the government and key response networks to monitor and validate field situations and emergency needs of affected populations.
To help, visit www.worldvision.org.ph. For more updates, follow World Vision Philippines’ official social media pages: @worldvisionph on Facebook and Twitter, and @worldvisionphl on Instagram.
