Overview
Reports from different international organizations focused on relief estimated that around 12 to 16 million people have been affected by the catastrophic damage of Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) in the Philippines, with several regions in the country placed under a state of calamity. The typhoon brought torrential rains, violent winds, landslides, and storm surges in the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, and the island of Palawan in Luzon before it exited the Philippine area of responsibility on 17 December 2021. Of the 2.1 million houses affected, more than 400,000 have been destroyed. In agriculture, the initial estimate of P3 billion has now been adjusted to almost P13 billion as more affected areas were reached. [1]
Response
SEARICE has immediately reached out to its partners in Negros and Bohol provinces, faith-based organizations, and with the assistance of Fastenaktion, was able to respond to the aftermath of Odette. A Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) was conducted in two provinces where SEARICE implements its projects to determine the critical interventions needed by the affected communities. The analysis showed that communities in the municipality of Sipalay in Negros Occidental, Ubay, and Dagohoy municipalities in the province of Bohol needed food, beddings, health and sanitation kits, and kitchen utensils.
From 21 December 2021 to 22 January 2022, SEARICE former staff, farmer partners, and volunteers prepared 493 relief bags for distribution (250 packs for Bohol and 243 for Negros).
In Negros Occidental, the relief goods were distributed in the municipality of Sipalay on 18 January 2022, with the help of the parish volunteers (Social Action Center [SAC] of Bacolod) of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Magic Villanueva. Coordination was made through Olive Seruelo of SAC and the Diocese of Bacolod through Rev. Fr. Chris Gonzales.
In Bohol, relief packs were distributed in six barangays in the municipalities of Ubay and Dagohoy on 23 January 2022, with the assistance of former SEARICE Staff Merigine Otara and long-time farmer partner Estella Calamba.
[1] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (26 May 2022). Philippines: Super Typhoon Rai (Odette) Situation Report No. 9.
United Nations Population Fund Philippines (18 May 2022). Situation Report 07: Super Typhoon Rai (Odette)
GMA News (12 January 2022). Odette damage to agri nearing P13 billion —DA.
Negros Occidental
Bohol
Photos: SAC and Diocese of Bacolod (Negros Occidental), Estella Calamba and Merigine Otara (Bohol).