I am posting photos of Iligan from the time we were there the week after Typhoon Sendong in December. I know that the hype has died down, but the people of Iligan, Cagayan de Oro & other areas are still living in temporary shelters and still lacking in basic things. The worst part is, it keeps on raining and it’s sad to imagine how people are wet and cold under their plastic tarps.
I am sure you guys heard of Typhoon Sendong (international codename: Washi) which hit Mindanao really bad last December. It sent Iligan, Cagayan do Oro and other areas of Mindanao into a state of calamity. Overnight hundreds of people died and went missing. An area which is never really hit by typhoons, was inundated by one in the middle of the night and the water rose unbeknownst to the sleeping people.
A combination of heavy rainfall (a month’s worth in a matter of hours), denuding the forests (loggers I hope you learn from this! And I hope our government does something to stop this!), lack of preparedness (people did not believe that a typhoon would actually come and the cities were not equipped with life-vests, rescue boats, etc.), high population density of squatters by the riverbanks and on a sandbar, etc. lead to the magnitude of the catastr
ophe.
You can click here to get a more comprehensive summary. *Note: I do not take liability for the accuracy of said report, but I think it gives you a good picture. And the numbers are constantly changing and new developments arising with more information from different areas coming in.
The bridge that broke after damming the river with logs from the mountains
Illegally cut logs that destroyed property & killed people litter the city
When we left more than a week after the storm, the scene was still the same. Perhaps people are forgetting but it can take years to rebuild what Typhoon Sendong has devastated. People have lost everything so they are still in need of whatever you can donate. From clothes, shoes, slippers, water, food, non-food itemsetc. But of course the fastest thing to give is cash so that the RedCross and other groups can buy whatever is needed when they are there. Of course clothes, toys, etc. that you don’t use will be highly appreciated by the victims. I literally saw a man walking around covered in mud in briefs, because he didn’t have anything else to wear. The high school principal came in to the school after the typhoon in her house clothes, barefoot. =(
However little you can afford to give, it will matter a lot to those who have nothing at all.
- Donate from anywhere in the world via REDCROSS
- Donate via SMS from anywhere in the Philippines
- For Globe subscribers:
- Text RED AMOUNT and send to 2899
- via GCASH: Text DONATE AMOUNT MPIN SLB and send to 2882
- Valid donation amounts are 10, 25, 50, 100, 500, and 1000
- For Smart subscribers:
- Text RED AMOUNT and send to 4143
- Valid donation amounts are 10, 25, 50, 100, 500, and 1000
Aside from donations, I am also joining Mindanaoan on her #VisitIligan #VisitCDO blog campaign and will be writing what I can to encourage tourists both local and international to visit these places. More tourists will help the area economically. I encourage other bloggers (who have visited Iligan/CDO/Bukidnon) to do the same!
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