The typhoon that hit the Philippines in mid-December and called Odette/Rai caused extensive damage to the population. The Emergency Coordination of the Focolare Movement has decided to launch a fundraiser for the first emergency and reconstruction interventions aimed at families, severely affected by this disaster.
We read from the website focolare.org
“I just returned to Italy from Cebu and I too have received sporadic news via Messenger,” says Alessandra Emide, head of programs at Bukas Palad Cebu Foundation , “because at the moment there is no easy access to the internet in those areas. The greatest damage was in the Visayas Islands, the archipelago in the center of the country with Cebu as its capital.”
Ten days later, the numbers of super typhoon Odette-Rai, as it has been renamed, are indeed impressive: According to the United Nations’ principal humanitarian coordinator in the Philippines, Gustavo Gonzalez, since the storm hit the archipelago, about 2 million people have been affected by the disaster and at least 300 have died, but this number is feared to rise, as not all victims have been officially reported; flooding is widespread and landslides have swept away homes are numerous. With about 300,000 people evacuated as the super typhoon hit the central regions of the Philippines, immediate and priority needs include food, clean water, shelter, fuel, hygiene kits, medicines and protection services.
Alessandra then adds that the main problem is the completely destroyed power lines with the consequent blockage of the water network. People have to queue for long periods to get water and the lack of electricity makes communications, transportation and supplies very difficult. Supermarkets are running out of basic necessities, gasoline is scarce and the price is skyrocketing; not to mention the enormous damage suffered by homes, many of which have been razed to the ground.
“The Focolare center in Bukas Palad, on the island of Cebu, where I work – continues Alessandra – was also damaged: broken glass, doors and windows, fallen trees and, despite this, it hosts some families who have lost everything. Local authorities say that it will take a month to start restoring electricity and water, in the meantime we are working to get containers of drinking water, solar torches and rechargeable batteries, rice and long-life foods to the families ”.
Gio Francisco says that together with the rescuers, the Youth for a United World of the Philippines (Y4UW PH) have also concentrated their efforts on four of the six most affected regions, including the province of Cebu where Bukas Palad is located. So far, Y4UW has raised funds to provide hundreds of food and water packages to families in the least accessible areas. This is first aid, but it will not be enough.Families will have to get back on their feet – says Giò Francisco – and to work, especially the many who depend on agriculture and fishing. The fishing boats have been destroyed. Farmers have lost their harvests. Imagine that a city, known for its banana plantations, has seen every last plant wiped out ”.
To support the interventions related to the typhoon emergency in the Philippines, you can make a donation to the following accounts:
Action for a United World ONLUS (AMU)
IBAN: IT 58 S 05018 03200 000011204344 at Banca Popolare Etica
SWIFT/BIC Code: CCRTIT2T
Action for New Families ONLUS (AFN)
IBAN: IT 92 J 05018 03200 000016978561 at Banca Popolare Etica
SWIFT/BIC Code: CCRTIT2T84A
Reason: Typhoon Emergency Philippines
