On December 16, 2011, Typhoon Washi struck the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines. The storm dumped one month’s worth of rain on the area in a period of 12 hours and caused landslides and flash flooding that devastated the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. The flooding drowned residents in their sleep, sweeping away homes made of light materials, while others tried to escape by climbing onto rooftops.
The latest information is that:
- The death toll rate has now been confirmed as 1,453. It is estimated that the figure will continue to rise with the toll expected to reach 2,000
- There are 50,000 people currently seeking shelter in evacuation centres.
- The number of people displaced and seeking refuge with relatives and makeshift centres is approximately 300,000
- Greater focus needs to be placed on need and delivery of assistance in areas outside the main cities (Cagayan de Oro and) such as Lanao del Sur (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao)
The most important requirement needed by the survivors is Water. A third of the water sources have been reported as damaged and water is being rationed. The muddy floodwaters increase the need for clean safe water for consumption and sanitation.
By launching the appeal it will mean that we will be able to provide helpand assistance to thosepeople who survived the floods and landslides. The intention would be to concentrate on the provision of water for both consumption and hygiene purposes, the water would be provided to those people in the most affected areas.
All photographs obtained from Reuters News website (http://www.reuters.com)
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