Relief Operation for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy
October 4, 2009
MESAU members handing out relief goods in Brgy. San Isidro, Rizal
September 26, 2009. Nobody will forget this fateful day, as typhoon “Ondoy” pounced the Philippines with a month’s worth of rain in just few hours. Almost 80% of Metro Manila was submerged into deep water. Also, neighbouring cities and provinces was not spared by the wrath of Ondoy. Water reached unprecedented levels in some areas levelling the roofs of houses. The disaster left many Filipinos in trepidation as they watched their lives wash away before their very eyes.
Damages
According to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Ondoy left the country P4.7 billion pesos poorer. Agriculture suffered a big blow as it sustained the highest amount of damage, reaching P3.1 billion. Infrastructures also suffered P1.6 billion loss.
Above all, Ondoy also claimed the lives of 246 people and left 56 people still missing as of this writing. 334,959 families were affected by the typhoon. Most casualties recorded by the NDCC were in Calabarzon, NCR and Rizal with 105 and 101 deaths respectively. Evacuation centres are jam-packed with people seeking refuge. Many have lost everything, from their livelihood, homes and loved ones.
Emergency Meeting
As soon as the rain subsided, an emergency meeting was quickly called to discuss a relief operation for the victims of the typhoon. Plans were made and solicitation for relief goods started immediately. The organization gathered monetary funds and donations in kind from its alumni association. Stocks of relief goods and toiletries were also given by generous NGO’s. From September 30, 2009, members and other volunteers started repacking goods and sorting clothes to be given to the victims.
Relief Operations
The plan was to drop-off the relief goods on October 3 at but was rescheduled the following day because of the overflowing goods the organization is receiving. The next day, the organization proceeded to the province of Rizal to pursue its mission to help the victims. The original area of coverage for the operation was on Wawa, Rizal, but we latter learned that Wawa was being served by other NGO’s and is abundant with relief goods. MESAU looked for an alternative place to conduct its relief operation and found Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal.
Barangay San Isidro was known little about but it is one of the places where typhoon Ondoy left a big scar. According to Honorable Cecilio Hernandez, the Barangay Captain of San Isidro, the place was greatly flooded due to its close proximity to a river. Unfinished row housing projects became home to those affected by the typhoon. The devastation of the place is evident the moment we arrived. Barangay San Isidro looked like a barren wasteland. The whole afternoon was spent when MESAU went around the barangay to distribute the relief goods. Barangay Captain Hernandez led the way and took us to those people who are in dire need. Almost 600 families benefited from the relief operation. There is unexplainable happiness as each one of the victims receive the goods we are giving them. Their smiles and “thank you’s! definitely made our day and forget our fatigue and hardships. The relief operation ended with a dinner hosted by Barangay Captain Hernandez.
The activity is an eye-opener on how lucky we are to be not affected by Ondoy. And, it also shows the resiliency and camaraderie of the Filipino people in times of need. We will always be there no matter what to help!
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS!
MESAU would like to thank the following for their support in the relief operations:
• One Nirvana for the relief goods and toiletries
• Hexagon Co.(c/o Ruel Cordero) for the truck used by MESAU
• MESAU Alumni Assoc., KGJS Manila Inc., for financial support
• Hon. Cecilio Hernandez
This wouldn’t be possible without your help and support. Again, from MESAU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
