World Vision starts relief effort in wake of Typhoon Hagupit

TACLOBAN - Typhoon Hagupit sent over 100,000 people in mass evacuations, an estimated 30,000 stayed at the 49 evacuation camps designated by the city government as early as 2-3 days before the projected landfall.

As the typhoon pounded on the city, half of the city’s population was holed safely in the camps wondering what will be left behind.

World Vision is distributing emergency essentials for families in three evacuation camps in Tacloban. 

World Vision starts distribution of emergency essentials today for families in three evacuation camps composed of water and hygiene kits. After coordination with city government overseeing the camps, sanitation was among the identified needs.

The kits are composed of soaps and detergents, toothbrushes, sanitary pads, underwear for men and women, nail cutters and malong (shawl) which often used as substitute for a blanket in cold weather.

World Vision’s zone manager for Tacloban Ajab Macapagat said in a meeting with the social welfare officials, water and hygiene were identified as urgent needs. “The queue was long for drinking water in many camps when we went around for assessment”, Macapagat says.

In one state university, at least 5,000 have flocked for refuge. Many of these camps are churches, schools and public gymnasiums which do not have enough toilet and bathroom facilities to accommodate thousands.

In the aftermath of the typhoon, Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez lauded achieving the zero casualty target and credited this to the people who cooperated quickly and made the evacuation organized. Operations Director Jennifer MacCann says, “World Vision will focus on helping the most vulnerable families who will likely stay in the camps for a week or so while they are fixing their houses again.”

MacCann expects the relief team to start the distribution today and complete it in a day or two to address the people’s urgent needs. World Vision is committed to helping 55,000 people affected in coming weeks as assessment results are finalized.

Fatima Luza, 54, a single mother lamented her loses after the typhoon. Her house was barely finished from being rebuilt and the small roadside eatery she has established for livelihood was completely destroyed. “We will have the same Christmas last and this year. But I am still thankful that we were all safe”, Luza says with sadness.

Response Director Andrew Rosauer reiterated that commitment underscoring the trauma that majority of these survivors are going through from typhoon Haiyan to Hagupit. “The least we can do is be able to provide for their immediate needs to ease their suffering and help them one more time to recover”, Rosauer says.

Tacloban is still reeling from a power blackout since 3:00pm yesterday but mobile phone signals were unhampered which made coordination and rescue more efficient. Internet connection is still poor, many establishments are close and public transport is still limited.

-ends-

For media interviews, please contact:

Rhonda Hirst on +63 916 735 5061 or rhonda_hirst@wvi.org

Cecil Laguardia on +63 939 926 2669 or cecil_laguardia@wvi.org