World Vision in the Philippines declares CAT II, National Office Response following massive flooding in Mindanao

Friday, 27th of January 2017

World Vision Development Foundation (WVDF), Philippines, in consultation with the South Asia & the Pacific Office declared a Category II, National Office response after the tropical storm Auring dumped heavy rains in the Visayas and Mindanao regions on January 7. This was followed by a Low Pressure Area, sustained by tail end of a cold front on January 16, which triggered flooding in many low-lying areas.

More than 600,000 people (136,000 families) have been affected across 834 villages in the regions of Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Minadanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The weather disturbance has claimed nine lives and displaced more than 38,000 people. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) 254 areas are still flooded. To date, 13 municipalities in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Davao Oriental, Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte are under the state of calamity.

World Vision is currently supporting more than 18,000 children in Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and Caraga regions. In Agusan del Sur, one of the flooded areas, World Vision has its Clean Water Project, catering to more than 28,000 people across 15 villages. Agusan del Sur also used to be an Area Development Program (ADP), funded by WV Germany.

WORLD VISION RESPONSE

World Vision deployed a rapid assessment team on January 20, 2017 to the affected areas of Agusan del Sur. Based on initial data and coordination with municipal disaster management offices, assessment report indicates food, shelter kit, clean water and hygiene kits as the immediate needs of the affected population.

The response aims to support and complement the government-led efforts as well as work with other non-government organisations in the affected areas. World Vision Philippines aims to provide water purifier kits (water purifier packets, jerry can and filter cloth) and hygiene kits to 2,500 families in two of the hardest hit areas; the municipalities of Loreto (Clean Water Project covered area) and La Paz (non-CWP area) that are currently under the state of calamity.

For more information please contact:

Rommel Fuerte, Acting National Director

+63-9176311997, rommel_fuerte@wvi.org

Ajab Macapagat - Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs (HEA) OIC Director

+63-9175369302, ajab-aram_macapagat@wvi.org

Aivon Guanco - HEA Manager

+63-9178156611, aivon_guanco@wvi.org,

G-Jeff Lamigo - PR and Communications Manager

+63-9175848212, gjeff_lamigo@wvi.org