Aboitiz Foundation assesses ‘Odette’ damage in Cebu and Bohol, gives aid to victims

The morning after Typhoon Odette passed Region VII, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. – Emergency Operations Center (RAFI EOC) mobilized its Rapid Assessment Teams to identify the extent of damage and immediate needs of affected families and communities in the Provinces of Cebu.

Response teams have been out for the last 24 to 48 hours, visiting evacuation centers and coordinating with Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices for data.

Initial data shows that the whole of Cebu and Bohol Islands have been drastically battered by Typhoon Odette. The 2 provinces are currently without power and water supply with erratic cellphone signals.

The south of Cebu sustained the brunt of the impact, severely damaging infrastructure, and homes. Bridges sustained severe damage, rendering towns south of Cebu impassable with collapsed bridges. Roads are currently impassable as clearing operations continue. In addition, the northern part of Bohol was also severely damaged.

Impassable Farm to Market Roads in Cebu South

Severely Damaged Houses in Cebu South

Families try to rebuild fallen house using scrap materials in Cebu South

Immediate needs of affected families and individuals are the following: food, water, and power supply (powerbanks). The first 48 hours are the most critical as the need for basic supplies increase.

As of December 20, the RAFI Emergency Operations Center has deployed 2,800 relief packs to the communities in Danao and the Municipalities of Catmon and Carmen.

Each relief pack consists of 5 kilos of rice, 3 canned sardines, 3 packs of noodles, 3 cans of corned beef, 8 packs of instant coffee, and 6 liters of drinking water. RAFI is bringing in 300 relief packs to the province of Bohol in addition to the 9,800 packs for release in Bohol.

A Glance at the Ruins. A child walked past a destroyed house in Compostela, one of the badly hit areas in the Northern Cebu.

Target areas for distribution in the next few days are the municipalities of Tuburan, Balamban, Barili, Badian, Alegria, Ronda, Alcantara, Dumanjug, Moalboal, Malabuyoc and Sibonga as well as drinking water distribution for Cebu City.

Rapid Assessment is currently still ongoing, and the RAFI EOC in both provinces are still consolidating updates from other towns. Once data from rapid assessment has been consolidated, the RAFI Emergency Operations Centers will update its comprehensive response and rehabilitation plan for Cebu and Bohol Province.

In Rubbles. Household looks at the remains of what used to be their house after being ravaged by the fallen tree in Calape, Bohol.

RAFI is also sourcing out generator sets (5.5KVA to 6.5KVA) to be provided to the affected LGUs of Cebu Province and selected schools in Cebu City to supplement needs for power and water.

To further prepare for the rehabilitation and recovery phase, RAFI will craft the design of the starter house models for displaced indigent families. Plans for psychosocial support initiatives for families, children, and humanitarian workers are also being created. Updates on RAFI’s response efforts can be monitored on the RAFI Website.

RAFI is open for partnerships. Its Donation Hub is OPEN for donations and support from local and international organizations, as well as from individual donors. Donations will be used for the provision of immediate relief of affected families and communities.

Interested partners can contact RAFI through their email address [email protected] or through the following numbers 265-5914 (landline), 0917-633-2936 (Globe), and 0933-879-2966 (Sun).