World Vision sends assessment teams to typhoon-stricken provinces

MANILA | September 28 — In the aftermath of super typhoon Noru (local name Karding), World Vision immediately deploys two rapid assessment teams to hard-hit Luzon provinces of Aurora and Quezon today.

“We have visited Paltic, one of the 11 affected villages in the coastal town of Dingalan, Aurora and we’ve seen many destroyed houses and fish boats along the coastlines,” shared World Vision assessment team member Felix Cinco. “This poses challenges for the affected families, especially their livelihood.” According to Paltic’s barangay (village) leader Carlos Cajucon, there are about 512 registered fishermen in his locality.

Leo, 29, one of the fishermen in Ipil-ipil village shared his sentiment as a simple provider, “Because of this calamity, it’s been difficult because most boats have been damaged by Karding and will need repair.” He hopes to sail and fish again soon enough to earn and feed his family.

It has just been a year ago when last year’s typhoon Vamco ( local name Ulysees) brought a storm surge and washed-out so many houses and destroyed boats. “Ulysses brought so much rainwater, but this year Super Typhoon Karding, brought stronger and more violent winds which clobbered most homes,” Leo reckoned.

Assessment teams also looked into the special needs of children, as they cope with the impact of the typhoon on their communities.

“From the interviews that I gathered from mothers, they cited food and safe shelter for their families, especially for their children as priority needs,” shared Cinco.

“The children’s wellbeing is our utmost concern at the moment. We aim to ensure that children are protected and cared for especially in the aftermath of a strong typhoon that devastates their communities,” World Vision in the Philippines National Director Rommel Fuerte said.

In the province of Quezon, World Vision team, along with other local non-government organizations and UN Agencies, will be visiting Burdeos, Polillo Island today, Sept. 28. “We hope to reach Polillo Island today to see the impact of Super Typhoon Noru. We’re praying to have good weather today as we ferry across Polillo Strait from Real, Quezon. It’s been raining in the province since yesterday,” Renato Salas, World Vision assessment team leader, said.

Super Typhoon Noru made its initial landfall over Burdeos town in Quezon province last Sunday (Sept 25) followed by the second landfall evening the next day in Dingalan, Aurora.

There are around 16,000 families affected by Super Typhoon Noru, while around 51,000 people are displaced as the super typhoon flooded communities and damaged houses and roads, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council September 28 report showed. Damage to crops is estimated at Php 1.5M and to infrastructure at Php 3M.