The Day it All Happened
The Philippines
The Philippines is a tropical archipelagic country in South East Asia, and is the unfortunate recipient of countless typhoons and thunderstorms. Global warming has worsened this situation, and as a third world country with a per capita GDP of only US$3,300 (as compared to the United States’ per capita GDP of US$46,900), the Philippines is unable to provide swift and sufficient relief goods for victims of natural disasters. The gap between the rich and the poor is immense, especially in its capital, Manila. However, this gap was bridged on Saturday, September 26, 2009, when Typhoon Ketsana (locally called Ondoy) prompted both the rich and the poor to fight for their lives (not to mention, the other's) against torrents of floods and of heavy rain.
The Philippines on Saturday, the 26th of September 2009
It had already been raining on and off for days on end. Days would start in the scorching heat and end with heavy rains. What began as a light drizzle Friday night continued quite unnoticed, as the weather had been fickle that way, until Saturday morning.
What was reported to be Signal N°1 developed into heavy showers, an inclement downpour, and then an all out fury of nature. Typhoon Ondoy (as Filipinos call it), or Typhoon Ketsana (as the rest of the world calls it), was the worst super typhoon to rage the Philippines. Manila—the country’s economic and urban capital—was the hardest hit. As a point of reference, Hurricane Katrina brought 380mm of rainfall to the state of Louisiana (total land area of 51,885 square miles), while Ondoy brought 410mm of rain to the city of Manila alone (total land area of 14.9 square miles). Major roads and highways were flooded and closed, dams were at bursting point, houses and cars were completely submerged, and as of Monday, September 28, more than 100 lives had been lost. Twenty-six areas have been declared to be in a State of Calamity, as Filipinos are still trying to stay above the torrential floods that came within a span of only six hours, but were equivalent to an entire month’s worth of rain.
What was reported to be Signal N°1 developed into heavy showers, an inclement downpour, and then an all out fury of nature. Typhoon Ondoy (as Filipinos call it), or Typhoon Ketsana (as the rest of the world calls it), was the worst super typhoon to rage the Philippines. Manila—the country’s economic and urban capital—was the hardest hit. As a point of reference, Hurricane Katrina brought 380mm of rainfall to the state of Louisiana (total land area of 51,885 square miles), while Ondoy brought 410mm of rain to the city of Manila alone (total land area of 14.9 square miles). Major roads and highways were flooded and closed, dams were at bursting point, houses and cars were completely submerged, and as of Monday, September 28, more than 100 lives had been lost. Twenty-six areas have been declared to be in a State of Calamity, as Filipinos are still trying to stay above the torrential floods that came within a span of only six hours, but were equivalent to an entire month’s worth of rain.
What We Need
At this point, we need all the help we can get. The aftermath of Ketsana has rendered thousands of Filipinos virtually homeless and lacking in food and water supply. According to various sectors conducting relief operations and deploying teams in locations that were severely affected, here is what the people urgently need:
o Canned goods
o Potable water
o Medicine
o Clothes
o Slippers/ shoes
o Blankets
o Rubbing alcohol
o Sanitary napkins
o Kitchen utensils and plates
o Towels
Total destruction has been pegged at nearly US$30 million—money that the Philippines does not have at its disposal.
o Canned goods
o Potable water
o Medicine
o Clothes
o Slippers/ shoes
o Blankets
o Rubbing alcohol
o Sanitary napkins
o Kitchen utensils and plates
o Towels
Total destruction has been pegged at nearly US$30 million—money that the Philippines does not have at its disposal.
What's Being Done
Only two days after the disaster struck, there has already been a tremendous show of support from the local community. Since Saturday afternoon, calls for donations and volunteers have already taken over various networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Plurk. The response of the people to these calls for help has been overwhelming. Students, entrepreneurs, whole families, companies, and school communities have come together in various relief centers to send their donations and volunteer their time and effort to pack water, food, clothing, and medicine to those in dire need of aid.
Although the government has called a temporary suspension of classes, university and high school students nevertheless flock to their schools that have been transformed into donation centers. The generous flow of goods is heart warming, and it is inspiring to see Filipinos from all walks of life come together to help their countrymen. With a lack of deployment vehicles, students and families are even taking the initiative to transport donated goods to affected areas using their own cars.
As of Sunday, Sagip Kapamilya, an organization dedicated to conducting relief operations, has received PhP25 million worth of relief goods to be distributed to the victims of Typhoon Ketsana. Aside from the massive response from the Filipinos, the international community has begun to extend a helping hand. Japan has offered PhP10.5 million worth of relief goods, and the Chinese have donated a total of US$40,000 for relief operations.
Although the government has called a temporary suspension of classes, university and high school students nevertheless flock to their schools that have been transformed into donation centers. The generous flow of goods is heart warming, and it is inspiring to see Filipinos from all walks of life come together to help their countrymen. With a lack of deployment vehicles, students and families are even taking the initiative to transport donated goods to affected areas using their own cars.
As of Sunday, Sagip Kapamilya, an organization dedicated to conducting relief operations, has received PhP25 million worth of relief goods to be distributed to the victims of Typhoon Ketsana. Aside from the massive response from the Filipinos, the international community has begun to extend a helping hand. Japan has offered PhP10.5 million worth of relief goods, and the Chinese have donated a total of US$40,000 for relief operations.
Not Quite There Yet
So far, the huge outpour of assistance from both the local and the international community has been amazing. However, we recognize that much still needs to be done. With economic damage estimated to total US$30 million, a long period of rebuilding and lies ahead for the Philippines.
In-kind donations will temporarily stave off hunger and sickness. However, the Philippines needs to start rebuilding its roads, telephone wires, institutions, and agricultural land. To do this, we need financial help. The battle is far from over, but with the help of the international community, we will get there faster.
In-kind donations will temporarily stave off hunger and sickness. However, the Philippines needs to start rebuilding its roads, telephone wires, institutions, and agricultural land. To do this, we need financial help. The battle is far from over, but with the help of the international community, we will get there faster.
