Appeal

Philippines

Typhoon Ketsana - PHL091

Appeal Target: US$ 763,580

Balance Requested: US$ 532,213

Geneva, 2 November 2009

On 26 September 2009 Typhoon Ketsana (loal name Ondoy) lashed the National Capital Region, Southern and Northern Luzon island with winds of 85 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 100 kilometers per hour. Within a period of less than two weeks, the Philippines was battered by a second super typhoon, namely Typhoon Parma (local name Pepeng) on 10 October 2009 causing further serious damage to an already devastated area.

In the absence of adequate early warning, there was very little time for many to evacuate, particularly as the floodwater levels rose very quickly. Many of the households affected by Typhoon Ketsana are located in riverine communities in the eastern portion of Metro Manila, whose homes were engulfed by floodwaters and mud. Debris flow that carried solid waste and eroded upland vegetation inundated the metropolis, causing deaths and destroying whatever household properties, livelihood, and essential infrastructure in its way. Those that were hit by 3 to 6 metres of flood waters were forced to evacuate their homes or to remain on their rooftops waiting to be rescued. The majority of those badly affected are informal settlers living at subsistence level, who have not only lost their homes and whatever little property they have but also lost their minimal resources and livelihood tools. Without the much needed resources for their livelihood, these families will have very limited access to food for survival, and will not be able to recover without external assistance.

Agricultural land was also severely flooded and there was significant damage to crops and paddy. Vegetable farms, a major economic activity in the region, were mostly destroyed. Reports suggest that up to 90% of rice crops were damaged in some areas, posing risks to food security over the coming months.

Local infrastructure including hospitals have been finding it difficult to cope with the influx of patients, particularly following the increase in diseases such as leptospirosis and dengue.

Recent reports from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) indicate that more than 8.4 million people were affected by Typhoons Parma (Pepeng) and Ketsana (Ondoy), causing 849 deaths.

ACT members Christian Aid (CAID), the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and Lutheran World Relief (LWR) plan to meet immediate relief needs of typhoon affected communities in the form of food, water, non-food, hygiene and shelter support; and also to address rehabilitation and livelihood needs in the longer term. Lutheran World Relief also plans to provide capacity building (Sphere/HAP workshops and training.

Project Completion Date:

CAID - 31 March 2010

LWR - 31 March 2010

NCCP - 31 July 2010 (10 months)

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Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts:

US dollar

Account Number - 240-432629.60A

IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A

Euro

Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z

IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z

Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together

UBS AG

8, rue du Rhône

P.O. Box 2600

1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND

Swift address: UBSWCHZH80A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (jkg@act-intl.org) and the Programme Officer, Michelle Yonetani (myo@act-intl.org) of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.