Philippines floods -
disaster relief
National Disaster
- 73,892 people rescued
- 2,254,915 people affected
- 389,616 located in 561 evacuation shelters
- 736,197 displaced people
- 3,374 homes affected
Official Death Toll as 30/09/09
- 246 killed
- 42 missing
On September 26 at 11 a.m. tropical storm 'Ondoy' made landfall near Baler, Quezon province. The storm was expected to leave the Philippines area of responsibility by 5 p.m. The total rainfall was 455 mm for 24 hours.
This was the fourth severe weather related incident in September, which normally has only 2. Three previous typhoons have already made the surface super saturated before this recent heavy rainfall. The current weather system is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon and bring occasional rains.
Field reports
5/10/09
"It's been a hard couple of weeks in Manilla, but us Philippino people are resilient and we will bounce back from this. 4,700 of our church members were underwater when the flooding was at it's peak, now 350 members will be caught in long-term flooding that could remain past Christmas.
Our church members have just left for our next food distribution that will provide isolated people with enough food to last a week.
Many of the citizens of Philippines have been back at work, one week after the heavy flooding started last Saturday. 80% of the city was already underwater, when the authorities made the decision to release the pressure on the dams. This contributed in a sudden surge from waist high water to around 2meters. Many homes had evacuated their expensive and electrical goods to the second story of their homes to be protected from the water, but the surge of water and continual heavy rain meant even items on the second floor were damaged. Occupants could do nothing but escape to the roofs of their homes and wait.
With electricity out, and floods isolating the population, many survived without food until COP team members could reach them and provided food. Initially the team prepared cooked meals, but are now providing family packs that can last a week filled with rice, and canned foods that will not easily perish. 450 staff, students and volunteers are working around the clock to prepare food for distribution. With estimates some areas will have flood waters until December and even February.
Youth teams from the church have began some phase two clean-up operations in areas where the flooding has receded. Many of the homes have elderly couples whose children have moved overseas to get work, and so they are so very grateful when COP team members arrive with food and helping hands.
I have been very grateful to Feed The Hungry in particular for responding so quickly to the situation. With electricity out, no bank or ATM would work either. Which meant we couldn't access funds in our accounts, and relied on 'petty cash', but you found a way to get funds to me which I was able to use to buy food to feed the hungry. Thankyou for helping me to answer the prayers of my congregation members and others who are literally praying, give us this day our daily bread."
Pastor David Sumrall
COP Manilla
2/10/09
Pastor David & Beverly Sumrall have marshalled the members of Cathedral of Praise (COP) Manila to organise Disaster Relief Efforts in the wake of the fatal flooding.
Pastor David and family actually have been living in the church since the flooding began, in order to better coordinate the relief efforts.
You can read some a full update from COP here.
You can follow the latest updates at Ps. David's twitter feed here.
Updates from church members via COP facebook page here.
fth updates
1/10/09 - FTH Update
"You may have heard about the severe storms and flooding in the capital city of Manila, Philippines... hundreds of people have died and more than 300,000 homes have been destroyed.
The city received 13 inches of rain in only six hours, causing rivers and dams to burst their banks. My cousin, David Sumrall, and his wife Beverly pastor the Cathedral of Praise in Manila, a 20,000 member strong congregation that my father – Dr. Lester Sumrall – founded more than 50 years ago.
Beverly sent us an emergency email asking Feed The Hungry’s help as the church responds to this crisis. Her words gripped my heart..."
Peter Sumrall
FTH President
Click here to read more
situation reports
Situation Reports as of 7 October 2009
- Typhoon Parma affected more than 338,302 people (70,941 families), with 16 confirmed deaths and two people missing.
- To date, 85,863 people (19,184 families) are located in 460 evacuation centres
- Typhoon Parma had a devastating impact on the agriculture sector in Isabela Province
- To date, Tropical Storm Ketsana floods affected 3,929,030 people (805,740 families), with 295 confirmed deaths and 39 people missing.
- A total of 335,740 people are sheltered in 559 evacuation shelters.
- Approximately 16,094 houses were destroyed by the Tropical Storm Ketsana and 22,849 houses partially damaged, according to NDCC.
- Many roads are closed in sections due to water inundation and
fallen trees or debris.- Typhoon Parma weakened to a tropical storm and remains stationary over Luzon Sea, moving slowly north.
- Storm warnings remain in Ilocos North, with particular concern for residents in low-lying areas subject to possible flash floods and landslides
- The recorded number of people affected by Tropical Storm Ketsana
continues to rise as access is gained to isolated areas and detailed
assessments are conducted and data verified.
Click here for more Situation Reports
secular media reports
Click here for the latest secular media reports on the ongoing situation in Myanmar.
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