As World Vision responds to Ketsana, greater help needed for Parma survivors

• World Vision relief reached 10,000 families in Metro Manila, worst far from over as Typhoon Parma battered Northern Luzon and caused massive flooding and landslides

Heavens hear us.   This could well be the exasperating cry of millions of people affected by the chains of adversity that hit the Philippines over the past weeks, and relief workers striving to bring aid to the affected population.

Just a week after Typhoon Ketsana brought in a month’s worth of rain in just 9 hours and caused almost the whole of Metro Manila and nearby provinces under water, Typhoon Parma pounded Northern Luzon, and stayed there even longer, bringing in more rains.

Typhoon Parma has made landfall in Northern Luzon thrice since if entered the Philippine area of responsibility last 03 October.  Since then, heavy rains have caused numerous landslides in the villages covered by the Cordillera Administrative Region, including many villages in Baguio City. 

The incessant rains also caused massive flooding, that according to government and media reports, have submerged 90% of the province of Pangasinan and significant portions of La Union, Ilocos Sur, Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales and Bulacan. 

Roads going to the north are impassable and power and communication lines are down.

To date, over 10,000 families have evacuated to higher grounds after many homes and properties have been swept away by ravaging waters in the north.  More than 230,000 families or 1 million people were affected, P1.9 million worth of infrastructure and agriculture were destroyed, according to government report.

These numbers add up to the 4.1 million Filipinos affected by Tropical Storm Ketsana, of which 287,526 people remain in cramped evacuation sites.  Many parts in Pasig, Marikina, Rizal, Cainta, and areas surrounding the Laguna Lake remain submerged.  Authorities say it would take about 3-5 months before the water would subside.

World Vision’s efforts to reach 20,000 families in Marikina, Pasig, Cainta and Rizal continue as challenges, likewise, continue to mount. 

To date, World Vision has reached 10,000 families and provided them food and non-food items that are designed to support the food needs of a family of five for about two weeks.  World Vision also established six Child-Friendly Spaces that helped support the psychosocial needs of more than 3,000 children to help them gain a sense of routine and normality.  

But despite these gains, World Vision efforts do not stop. Ongoing assessment is being made on the health issues and concerns that Typhoon Ketsana left.

With the devastation caused by Typhoon Parma, World Vision is currently monitoring the situation, while at the same time, preparing for possible response.  Teams are already identified for deployment to critical areas in Northern Luzon, which can happen anytime from now.

People who want to make a donation, may do so through World Vision New Zealand’s Asia-Pacific Emergency Relief Fund by going to https://www.worldvision.org.nz/Donations