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philippines mudslide relief
After the storm, a new beginning
When typhoons and violent storms hit the Philippines, entire communities are leveled. That’s exactly what happened on Sept. 28, 2006, when super typhoon “Milenyo” (international codename: Xangsane) slammed into northern and central Philippines, killing nearly 200 people and injuring hundreds. The storm caused extensive damage to homes and property, leaving thousands homeless and destitute. More than four million people were affected by the storm, many from poor rural areas.
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| A single mother’s home is completely destroyed by the typhoon. |
In a slum community outside of Manila, homes are built just five feet above still water, and are so close to each other they share walls. When the water level rose during the typhoon, these homes were washed away and everything else in it – books, furniture, pots, clothing.
Immediately after the typhoon subsided, families gathered whatever they could find, including scraps of different materials, to construct makeshift shanties. But these are inadequate.
Identifying housing as the most pressing need, Food for the Hungry Philippines will completely build four homes and provide materials to reconstruct 50 homes. Many poor families from provinces just outside of Manila suffered the brunt of the typhoon, severely impacting their ability to protect and provide for their families. No outside help was available to rebuild, and Food for the Hungry staff quickly recognized that if they did nothing, there was no one else to stand in the gap.
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| With the help of local carpenters, new homes will be rebuilt. |
Because many of these families were already living in abject poverty before the typhoon, losing their homes and belongings is too much to bear on their own. As a demonstration of Christ’s body bearing one another’s burdens, Food for the Hungry is glad to enter into this difficult time and provide homes through the help of local carpenters and builders.
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| This single mother will receive a brand-new home. |
A single mother (pictured left) lost everything in the typhoon. Her home and her possessions were destroyed. She has two children; one is in Food for the Hungry’s Child Development Program and the other has cerebral palsy. This mother works very hard to provide for her children. But rebuilding her home is too much of a financial burden for her. With Food for the Hungry’s help, in partnership with local churches, this woman will be given a new home and she will see the tangible demonstration of Christ’s love.
The super typhoon may have left many communities in shambles, but it did not succeed in destroying the sense of unity and neighborhood among the Filipino people. Community members and church leaders rallied together to help those in need. Some of the single mothers volunteered to cook meals for those affected. The leaders in the community even developed a disaster preparedness plan so that people will be more prepared and safe should another disaster strikes. Watching people helping each other is a great victory and testimony of God’s redeeming love.
Food for the Hungry has been walking alongside the poor in the Philippines for more than 20 years through the able leadership of Filipino staffs. Many broken lives have been restored in some of the poorest communities in the Philippines as a result of effective programs, one of which is the Child Development Program.
In a slum community outside of Manila, homes are built just five feet above still water, and are so close to each other they share walls. When the water level rose during the typhoon, these homes were washed away and everything else in it – books, furniture, pots, clothing.
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| No typhoon can destroy the children’s inner joy and strength. |
The Filipino people are friendly, warm and grateful. Some of the children who were in the Child Development Program and who are now in colleges and universities still come back to their communities to play guitar for church services, or help in different ways. This is another example of Food for the Hungry’s vision of community being lived out vibrantly.
God, through Food for the Hungry Philippines and local churches, is transforming many lives for His glory. Your partnership with us in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the Filipino people is immeasurable. Your prayers and financial support make all these possible.
PHILIPPINE DISASTER RELIEF EFFORT SUMMARY REPORT
"A carpet of Mudslide and Rocks"
This is how residents of neighboring villages describe what used to be a beautiful mountain village in Southern Leyte, Philippines, now buried under at least 100 feet of rubble. On Feb. 17, 2006 the entire barangay of Ginsaugon in the municipality of St. Bernard was completely wiped out by a major mudslide following days of heavy rains. According to reports, 136 dead bodies had been found and close to 1,000 victims were considered missing.
Food for the Hungry - Philippines, in partnership with local church and community leaders and other relief organizations, responded immediately by providing comfort and encouragement to the survivors. In addition, an emergency response team arrived from Korean Food for the Hungry, as well as support from Food for the Hungry-US.
With funds from Food for the Hungry-US, emergency relief supplies were distributed to five evacuation centers. Children who were traumatized by the event received care.
Food for the Hungry thanks all its partners and supporters who make possible the sharing of God’s love with people in great need.
Philippines Mudslide Relief Update
PHOENIX, AZ, March 3, 2006 — Since after a mountain in Southern Leyte, Philippines, collapsed and buried an entire village, Food for the Hungry has been working diligently amid chaotic conditions to help those who were directly and indirectly affected by the landslide.
Hundreds of people were evacuated from their villages as a precaution, increasing the number of internally displaced people to be sheltered and cared for, according to Sara Sywulka, Food for the Hungry development relief coordinator.
"Food for the Hungry’s program in the Philippines responded immediately by providing staff and encouragement to local partners in the affected area. This effort was further bolstered by the arrival of our emergency response team," she said.
The assessment teams were able to simultaneously assemble the information used to develop sound programs and immediately respond to the obvious and desperate needs. During the first week of March Food for the Hungry will be distributing emergency supplies such as hygiene items (bath and laundry soap, toothpaste and tooth brush), and household supplies (sugar, milk, pail and thermos) to the hundreds of people who are forced to live in evacuation centers.
"We are honored to work as part of the Food for the Hungry family to serve the survivors of this catastrophic disaster, and we thank all who shared their resources to bring the love of Christ in this time of great need," Sywulka said.
Click here if you would like to donate to relief efforts in the Philippines.
Hundreds die in Philippine Mudslide
PHOENIX, AZ, February 20, 2006 —As a result of several days of heavy rains soaking the mountainside adjacent to Barangay Ginsaugan, St. Bernard, a massive mudslide demolished an entire mountainside as the debris swept over the entire village in a matter of seconds. The area is now described as a carpet of mud and rocks, up to 100 feet deep in a few places, covering an area of nine square kilometers.
It is estimated that more than 2,000 people
were missing and 81 had been confirmed
dead (these statistics are continually changing). Out of the entire village only 100 people survived.
Due to the ongoing threat of additional mudslides, three additional villages have been evacuated near St. Bernard. This has resulted in an estimated 2,000 displaced from their livelihoods and either with out shelter or being housed by friends and or relatives.
Food for the Hungry has been active in relief efforts by flying relief items into the area and partnering with the local church community to house and care for the survivors and those displaced from their community.
Please join us in praying for the community of Ginsaugan and the surrounding areas during this difficult time.
Give your online donation today to help provide for the emergency relief of those impacted by the mudslide in Guinsaugon.
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