NASSA intensifies relief operations

THE National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) steps up massive relief operations in the wake of the great destruction brought by typhoon Frank (known internationally as Fengshen) on June 20-22.

Around 1,800 bags of NFA rice have already been released to 15 Social Action Centers of the archdioceses of Iloilo and Cotabato and the dioceses of Capiz and Kalibo. Ten thousand families are targeted to receive partial releases of relief packs of assorted items that NASSA volunteers have been gathering and putting together for shipment for weeks now. Iloilo has 4,000 family-beneficiaries, Cotabato, Capiz and Kalibo with 2,000 each. NASSA said the relief operations will go on for a month but might extend if there is a need.

An Assessment team composed of personnel from NASSA, CRS and Social Action directors of Cotabato and Marbel identified the needs that have to be given priority: a) food security, which include food availability and access, and loss of crops and agricultural assets; b) damaged infrastructures and fields; c) lack of essential household items; and d) health.

Typhoon Frank left the country reeling in the aftermath of enormous destruction in some parts of Mindanao and the Visayas displacing thousands of families, hundreds of fatalities and billions of pesos in damages. Reports released by NASSA revealed 10 provinces and 12 individual municipalities are seriously affected, majority of which are found in the Visayas (particulary Panay Island) and Mindanao (environs of Cotabato and General Santos City).

A situation report from the National Disaster Coordination Council (www.reliefweb.int) on June 29 said the impact of the typhoon had affected 718,457 families or 3,662,958 persons; 15 regions, 49 provinces, 48 cities, 401 municipalities, and 5,140 barangays (communities). It also caused 540 deaths (identified and recovered bodies), with 175 injured and 41 missing. The typhoon destroyed 301,642 houses (76,098 totally and 225,544 partially). Over all, the damages translated into billions of pesos (P7,317,188,568.21) consisting of infrastructures, school and other public facilities, and agriculture assets.

The typhoon triggered more than 11 maritime accidents that resulted to hundreds of fatalities, the most notable of which was the sinking of passenger boat Princess of the Stars which was carrying more than 800 people on board when it sank off Sibuyan Island at the height of the storm.

Families displaced by the typhoon are now cramped in evacuation centers with lack of access to potable water and sanitation facilities.

Although a large number of communities have been affected in the Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan provinces in the archdiocese of Cotabato, it was the Lambayong municipality and other areas of Cotabato City who suffered greatly due to massive flooding. Low lying areas of the municipality were submerged underwater when a major dike along the Allah River broke on June 21. According to reports the dike had been a problem even before the onslaught of typhoon Frank because of its weak foundation. Until a new dike is built, which is estimated to take several weeks if not months, the more than 4,160 families or more than 24,000 individuals in evacuation areas will have to stay encamped.

Meanwhile, most severely affected areas in the diocese of Marbel are the Maitum, Maasim, Alabel and Kiamba municipalities. The situation of the evacuees from Maitum is further aggravated by the intermittent conflicts between government forces and MILF rebels.

The cramped and unsanitary condition of evacuees is a major concern because of the possible outbreak of diseases. Among the items NASSA have been sending to evacuees include antibiotics and other medicines to prevent the spread of infection.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) a major donor in the ongoing relief operations is working hand in hand with NASSA in ensuring recovery assistance to affected families. Other international donors include Caritas Hongkong, Knights of Columbus and Bill Gates Foundation. Among the local donors are Caritas Manila, Green Cross, Caritas Novaliches, St. Paul University Manila, Colegio de Sta. Rosa, St. Jude Parish, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, NASSA Chair and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Dominican School and the Diocese of Borongan.

The main priority at the moment, as families return back to their former homes in trickles, is to re-launch livelihoods while making ends meet. The affected communities now have to deal with the challenges of having to rebuild their lives in the face of great loss both in lives and resources.