Thank you for your prayers and support on our #OperationBlessBatanes efforts. After waiting for a flight for more than two days at Clark Air Base, where many flights were cancelled due to bad weather, the Operation Blessing (OB) Philippines’ disaster response team finally reached Itbayat, Batanes last Tuesday, September 20, to give aid to communities ravaged by Super Typhoon Ferdie (international name: Meranti).

gtm_0412After assessing the needs of the affected areas, the DR team immediately held medical missions, relief distributions, and set up the mobile water purification unit in the town proper. At least 1,575 individuals already received free check up and medicines, relief packs, and potable water.

According to the local government unit of Itbayat, the water sources in the community which mostly are deep wells, were damaged and got contaminated because of the typhoon. Through OB’s water purifier stationed in Itbayat Municipal Hall, the water in the community is filtered before distribution to the families. Since Wednesday, at least 602 gallons of potable water were already given to the Ivatans.

Not just free check up and medicines were provided during the medical mission but also psychosocial support to the Ivatans who endured the strongest super typhoon to hit the Philippines this year. Two barangays in Itbayat, namely Raele, San Rafael, and Sta. Lucia received primary healthcare services through the help of OB’s volunteer doctors and nurses. Meanwhile, OB also brought two (2) units of chainsaw and helped in the clearing operations on roads.

Authorities reported zero casualties, but the Category 5 typhoon left the island with almost P225 million worth of damages in infrastructure. Even before responders reached Batanes, our resilient Ivatan brothers and sisters had already began rebuilding their homes. Today, they need more of our support to help them start anew.

Help the Ivatans rebuild their homes.

Our help for Batanes has gone far but they need more. The resilient Ivatans need comfort and safe homes to start anew. Let us show we care and willing to send help even to the northernmost province in the Philippines. Help OB provide shelter kits to the Ivatans. Together, we will #RebuildBatanes.

_mtg1423_mtg1336gtm_0096Photos by: Greg Morales. For more photos, click this link.