CCF Responds To Typhoon Durian's Destruction In The Philippines
Ellie Whinnery
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Super Typhoon Durian (Philippines codename: Reming) hit the Philippines on November 30 and December 1, 2006. The typhoon wreaked havoc throughout the Bicol Region, particularly in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon. Philippines authorities reported more than 1000 have died as a result of the devastating typhoon and estimate more than 22,000 people were impacted by the storm.
CCF-Philippines reports heavy damage to homes, schools, agricultural crops and property. Ensuing mudslides, triggered by the heavy rains of Typhoon Durian, left thousands homeless, covering villages with mud and boulders and causing heavy flooding.
Southern Luzon, still recovering from another recent typhoon, evacuated around 500 families to seven evacuation centers in public schools, parish churches, municipal and village halls. Approximately 1,000 houses were destroyed and 5,000 partially damaged according to early reports. CCF's Southern Luzon area covers six community associations of which Macalelon was the hardest hit. CCF serves 32 villages (barangays) in Macalelon and 14 barangays along the coastal areas. CCF staff reported that 4,205 children have been affected.
Initial assessments from visits to the affected areas, provided the following information:
Almost all of the 32 barangays in Macalelon Quezon were affected, including 23 barangays covered by CCF programs.
Hardest hit were coastal areas where most of the families lost their homes, property and their source of livelihood, (i.e. farming and fishing).
Communities have no electricity.
Children lost their school supplies, books and uniforms.
Swampy areas are littered with garbage and are posing health risks to children.
The Bicol Region was the hardest hit area where Typhoon Durian recorded packing winds of 110-150 mph bringing with it heavy rains. CCF-Philippines reports that families sought refuge in evacuation centers accounting for the low number of casualties reported. However, the main source of livelihood, rice, corn and vegetable farming, suffered severe damage from the storm.
This region of Bicol is still recovering from a typhoon that hit two months ago in the province Camarines Sur, causing serious damage to homes, agricultural crops and property.
CCF has projects in Camarines Sur in five of the 26 villages. 48% of the 521 families had their homes completely destroyed and the other 52% suffered significant damage. Early evacuation of families accounts for the low casualty figures there.
The initial assessment that CCF's emergency response team conducted, showed the following:
80% of the agricultural crops (rice, corn and vegetables) were destroyed.
The communities are still without electricity.
Most schools had their roofs either partially or totally blown off, making classrooms unusable. Children lost their school supplies, books and uniforms.
Heavy rains affected the potability of water and the water district is undertaking chlorination of the water supply.
Livelihoods were severely impacted when local farmers suffered heavy crop losses.
CCF is establishing a Child Centered Space in Pili where the greatest number of children was affected by the typhoon. Supplementary feeding will be initiated for children 0-6 years-of-age.
CCF-Philippines reports that in the project in Batit Anay, where 100 families had just returned to rehabilitated homes from the recent typhoon, most families had to return to the evacuation centers in anticipation of Typhoon Durian.
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Media Contact: Ellie Whinnery, 804-756-8987
Toni Radler, 804-756-2722
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