Bayanihan shows up as Karding survivors cry for help

By: Kurt Dela Peña - 2 years ago
Residents wade through waist-deep flood waters after Typhoon #KardingPH, in San Miguel, Bulacan province on Monday (Sept. 26) REUTERS

Residents wade through waist-deep flood waters after Typhoon #KardingPH, in San Miguel, Bulacan province on Monday (Sept. 26) REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines—The cry for help could get lost in the din of destruction.

But Marlon Sablaya, a resident of Aurora province, knew he had to plead after seeing the destruction left by Karding (Noru), the strongest typhoon to make landfall in the Philippines this year, in his hometown.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Super Typhoon Karding

He told INQUIRER.net that residents of Barangay Paltic, Dingalan town, Aurora had prepared for the typhoon, saying that fishermen had brought their boats to safety. But Karding was just too strong that it left his village devastated.

“‘Yung mamamayan ng Dingalan, sinalanta talaga ng bagyo. Nasira ang mga bahay, nasira ang mga bangkang pinagkukunang ng kabuhayan ng mga residente dito. Kailangan namin ng tulong,” Sablaya said.

(The residents here in Dingalan were really hit by the typhoon. Houses were destroyed, even boats, which is the livelihood of people here, were destroyed, too. We need help.)

READ: Karding weakens to a typhoon as it makes second landfall

The destruction was also visible in Barangay Carlagan, Burdeos, Quezon, where houses, boats, and even farms were destroyed, leaving hundreds of residents with almost nothing.

GRAPHIC Ed Lustan

Karding, which barreled through Luzon with 185 to 195 kph maximum sustained winds, made two landfalls—first in Burdeos, Quezon at 5:30 p.m. then in Dingalan, Aurora at 8:20 p.m.

READ: Super Typhoon Karding makes landfall in Quezon

Out of the 12.7 million people that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) said were living in areas on Karding’s path, the Department of Interior and Local Government said 19,368 families or 74,542 persons had to be moved out of harm’s way:

READ: DILG: Over 19,000 families evacuated due to Typhoon Karding

It was past midnight when the local government of Marikina City raised the highest alarm as the water level of the Marikina River reached 18 meters, prompting the evacuation of 5,024 families or 21,796 individuals.

GRAPHIC Ed Lustan

According to data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the government had P186,429,629 in standby funds at the central and field offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

It said that the amount included a quick reaction fund worth P103,014,640. The government also has P985,419,324 worth of stockpiles, which consists of family food packs and essential non-food items.

RELATED STORY: Luzon, Metro Manila bear brunt of Karding’s impact

With the destruction left by Karding, especially to 6.8 million persons living in the worst-hit areas, several organizations had already initiated donation drives and relief operations to help the survivors, most of them already deep in poverty before the typhoon struck.

GRAPHIC Ed Lustan

READ: Karding batters 600,000 people living below poverty line

For instance, the Maginhawa Community Pantry, which is led by Ana Patricia Non, has called for donations for the activation of community kitchens for individuals staying in evacuation centers.

Non said that overnight, her group was able to give 90 community kitchen kits, which is good for 22,500 persons, and that more—105 community kitchen kits, which is good for 26,250 individuals—were expected to be released within the day.

“We are on standby [for the activation] of community kitchen[s] and to bring hot meals to evacuation sites in several cities. We are still finalizing our contacts to [reach] affected provinces,” she said.

She also suggested a “market list” for individuals and organizations that want to help. “You can adjust the ingredients and feel free to add vegetables,” she said. Here are some of the suggested dishes:

Sopas (good for 150 to 200 persons)

Champorado

Lugaw

GRAPHIC Ed Lustan

But aside from food, the Philippine Red Cross had said that people in disaster areas, as listed in its Lifeline Kit for a Family of Five Members, also needed these things:

Here’s a list of initiatives where you can send cash or donations in kind:

Ateneo de Manila University: “As central and northern Luzon reels from the effects of Super Typhoon #KardingPH, we are calling on everyone’s kind hearts to help the typhoon survivors. We are open to receive in-kind donations for the evacuees from the typhoon.”

Agham Youth National: “Agham Youth National and its chapters are calling for donations for the victims of flooding, storm surges, and strong winds brought by Typhoon Karding (Noru).”

UP Diliman University Student Council: “In partnership with Tulong Kabataan PH, the UP Diliman University Student Council is once again launching IskoOps to help those affected by #KardingPH.”

Bangketa Eskwela Foundation: “Ang Bangketa Eskwela Foundation ay naglunsad ng Donation Drive para sa mga komunidad at indibidwal na apektado ng Bagyong Karding.”

Air Force Reserve Command: “The 2nd Air Reserve Center launches a donation drive for Typhoon Karding victims. You can drop off your donations at the 2nd Air Reserve Center in Air Force City, Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga.”

Tulong Obrero: “Naghahanda na ang Tulong Obrero para sa kagyat na relief operation sa mga biktima ng #KardingPH.”

Task Force Children of the Storm: “Kasalukuyang naghahanda at nangangalap ng donasyon ang Task Force Children of the Storm para sa ‘Tulong Paslit Mobile Kitchen’ upang makapagbigay ng mga hotmeals sa mga bata at mga pamilya na kasalukuyang lumikas at nasa evacuation centers dahil sa bagyo.”

ALAB Movement: “Bilang paghahanda sa pagdating ng super typhoon #KardingPH, ang ALAB Movement ay magsasagawa ng donation drive upang ibahagi sa mga biktima at mapipinsala ng bagyo.”

Citizens’ Disaster Response Center: “Kasalukuyan nang namiminsala ang #KardingPH sa Polilio Island. Bilang paghahanda, maaaring magpadala ng donasyon sa aming tanggapan para sa ating kababayang maaapektuhan ng bagyo.”

Frontliners’ Kitchen: “To help out, Frontliners’ Kitchen will be delivering food, water, toiletries, and other relief items to the affected areas, and we appreciate any form of help you can lend us.”

Gabriela: “Let’s work together to set up community kitchens and relief operations in evacuation areas.”

https://twitter.com/gabrielaphils/status/1574007692947259392

For our Farmers PH, Inc.: “Now preparing for immediate relief & assistance to local farmers & fisherfolk affected by #KardingPH. We are also opening our donation lines for those who wanted to send help.”

RELATED STORY: Power outages hit parts of Nueva Ecija due to Karding

TSB

READ NEXT
Bacolod City court sentences woman to life in jail for selling P300 worth of ‘shabu’
MOST READ
LATEST STORIES
Read more...
NEXT STORY