Hit Hard by Typhoon "Ondoy"

September 26, 2009 is a date to remember for many Filipinos who were hit hard by “Bagyong Ondoy” or known as Typhoon Ketsana (international designation). “Ondoy” brought the worst rainfall in Metro Manila among recorded typhoons. Flood water levels reached 20 feet high in rural areas. This typhoon poured down a month’s rain in just 12 hours.

Five days after “Ondoy” hit Metro Manila, many residents are still struggling with the aftermath of the storm’s fury. Many people were displaced and the number of dead bodies found is still increasing. Most establishments are still closed; hospitals are still buried in mud; schools are still used as evacuation centres and many families, including my closest friends, are picking up the pieces of what’s left behind.

I can’t help but be overwhelmed and be sympathetic to those people who are devastated by this typhoon. Floodwaters reached the homes of almost everyone I know, including friends, former colleagues and classmates from high school. Our house in Marikina was not spared from the flood, too. I can imagine the thick mud clinging onto the walls; photo albums, appliances and garbage all strewn, all over the floor.

A very close friend of mine, shares her “Ondoy” experience. When she woke up that Saturday morning, it was raining very hard and the sky was dark. Later on, she was surprised to see floodwater seeping into her house. Her instinct tells her to rush to the kitchen and grab whatever food she can find. Since the water was already knee-high deep at that time and was rising very fast, there was no other option left but to leave the house. Her husband carried their child, and came back to help her. At that moment, my friend was not able to bring anything with her. It was a time that one has to think how to survive, and save the people you love. My friend recounted that the flood level was almost chest-high, when she left the house.

Early this week, I tried calling my parents who live in the suburbs near Metro Manila and find out how they’re doing. But the phone lines were dead as it was the case with hundreds of residents. I checked my email and read my sister’s letter and was relieved to know that my parents are alright ‘though my mom can’t help but cry for the fate of many other families. I am hoping that I can get in touch with them the soonest possible time.

Although typhoon “Ondoy” had already left the country, the aftermath of the typhoon is a huge problem to face. Not only did the local officials admitted that they were not ready for such a magnitude in terms of their preparedness to address the problem, but the many lives of many Filipinos, both rich and poor, are scarred forever. As what my friend said,” it’s like starting anew”—picking up the pieces from where you’ve left. You’re fortunate if you’re still able to retrieve some of your possessions but the truth is, many of their possessions were literally washed-out...tainted...destroyed by the floodwaters. It’s an indescribable situation. The loss was too much bear. But as one friend said, she’s happy that no one got hurt in her family.

The flood had affected a quarter of metropolitan Manila and some 24 provinces around the country. The typhoon “Ondoy” was one of the worst seen in recent history. The people described it as if a tsunami came and brought immeasurable havoc. People most affected by the typhoon and flood were those who lived in slum areas where houses were just made of cardboards and old roofing materials. They are the poorest among the poor. Those people have no one to depend on, except for the help and support coming from the government and non-government agencies. Although the floodwaters have subsided in most areas, they are left with debris and mud in their wake.

At this time, emergency relief efforts are underway providing healthcare, food supplies and clothing. Many organizations have stepped in to lend a helping hand and UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), is providing hygiene kits, water purification tablets, essential medicines, portable toilets and family kits containing soaps and blankets. Emergency relief efforts are coming from all directions including the government, other communities not hit by the flood and various humanitarian organizations.

In calamities like this, the most affected in the society are the children. They are vulnerable to different kinds of waterborne diseases and even malnutrition. Not only is their physical well-being affected but as well as their psychosocial health. I am very much aware of the different organizations working very hard to reach this segment of the society such as the Philippine National Red Cross and World Vision to name a few. I am also amazed at the compassion shown by other people from other countries, which extend their support at this time of need. My graduating class, St. Scholastica’s Academy of Marikina batch 1990, has organized a committee to help out fellow alumni who were affected by typhoon “Ondoy”. If you are interested to help, please click here—S t. Scholastica’s Academy of Marikina batch 1990 and your support will be used directly to the flood victims in Marikina City, which is one of the hardest hit by typhoon “Ondoy”. A peso/dollar account is made available to pool funds to help the families directly.

If you prefer to course through your donation to buy medical supplies, food, hygiene kits and others, please visit UNICEF Canada Prairie Region at http://www.unicef.ca/. Another way for you to help is to send your donations to World Vision Philippines. I know the director personally, and his team is doing a great job in helping a lot of displaced families. Please visit them at http://www.worldvision.org.ph/.

For your information, we are also organizing a relief mission project to help victims in the Philippines. We will be collecting clothes and other donations to be sent directly to the areas, hardest hit by typhoon “Ondoy”. I will be working hand-in-hand with other Filipinos in the community and with a team of pastors in a big church organization here in Winnipeg. If you are interested in donating clothes, shoes, etc. to this effort, please reply to this blog and I will do my best to answer back.

For updates on the aftermath of typhoon “Ondoy,” please click on this link http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/.