• Flash floods hit Mindanao Province, affecting more than 13,000 families
• Evacuation centers - mostly schools and covered courts - have flooded
• World Vision to provide food and non-food items to 1,300 people
• World Vision to establish a "safe haven" for children
  

Manila, Philippines, January 13, 2009 - Another flash flood caused by heavy rains submerged hundreds of houses in Cagayan de Oro City including nearby towns of Misamis Oriental province in Mindanao increasing the number of affected families to more than 13,000.

Seven days earlier, the initial flooding displaced more than 5,000 families with the floodwater reaching the roofs of resident houses located near the riverbank.

"This is the worst flooding the city and province experienced for the first time after 30 years. The water's current is so strong and things happen so fast. The people could not believe the water could rise so quickly", said Rowena Balino, WV Programme Manager in Mindanao.

Initial reports state that 23 villages in Cagayan de Oro City and 12 towns in the province have been affected.

The city experienced power blackouts and many houses were damaged or destroyed. To date, some villages are still inaccessible. The evacuation centers, which are mostly schools and covered courts, are filled with evacuees. These centers have also flooded.

During the first flooding, World Vision's Social Mobilization for Tuberculosis (SMT) project funded by Global Fund was affected. The second flash flood is wider-reaching and has submerged areas of World Vision's Misamis Oriental Area Development Programme (ADP).

Balino added, "Simultaneous with an ongoing assessment, we are finalizing our initial relief operations plan. This will benefit affected families of last week's flooding. We will provide food and non-food items to 1,300 beneficiaries and distribute school supplies for 300 children within the week", added Balino. The Tuberculosis project (SMT) areas will be among the recipients.

Food supplies include the following: 25 kilos rice, 6 pieces canned fish, 1 pack coffee, 1 pack powdered juice, 1 kilo sugar, 1 pack chocolate drink, 10 pieces noodles, and ¼ kilo mung beans. Non-food goods are 1 bar of laundry soap and 1 tube of toothpaste.

"We are also planning to establish Child Friendly Spaces - a safe haven for children - to respond to the psychosocial needs of children distressed by the tragedy and to partner with other agencies for possible rehabilitation projects like housing so that people can move on with their lives", added Balino.

For more information, please contact:

Relief Director, Boy Bersales +63921-5601949 (mobile), email: boy_bersales@wvi.org

or

Programme Manager, Rowena Balino +639209827276, rowena_balino@wvi.org.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.wvasiapacific.org.