“Just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.” – WM Paul Young, The Shack
Since its entry in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), Typhoon Lando (international name Koppu) has been devastating the Philippines, especially the northern regions. While it is expected to exit PAR this Wednesday, it has already affected 60,170 families or 290,797 individuals, displaced 70,503 people, and claimed eighteen lives during its wrath.
Disaster-causing typhoons are never new to Filipinos but it is never any less overwhelming.
“This is our first time to experience this kind of typhoon that wrecks homes,” said Beny Lozano, whose house was destroyed during typhoon Lando’s aftermath. Beny, together with her husband and five children, survived the disaster but are at a loss as to how to start getting back on their feet.
Fortunately, there are people like Pastors Dominador and Menchie Ysip, a couple who have the heart to help other people despite being affected by the devastation themselves. The couple gave Beny’s family food that they can consume for a few days and a wooden couch that will now serve as their bed as they go to sleep and rest. Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines’ (OB) staff and volunteers who are now on the ground to extend much-needed assistance to the affected individuals, will also help rebuild Beny’s house.
OB, being always ready to respond and address the needs of the people, already deployed teams for ocular inspection, visit, assessment and response in the province of Aurora where typhoon Lando mostly stretched its fury. Reports from our staff and volunteers on the ground show that the destruction is indeed big and overwhelming, but then again, with your help, we believe that we can make a big difference starting with one family, one community at a time.
Among the municipalities identified where help is most needed are Baler, Casiguran, Dilasag, and Dinalungan, as well as Dinapigue in Isabela. As of this writing, OB has already conducted feeding operations to twenty families in one evacuation site in Casiguran. Two army trucks containing food packs for three days for 800 families, feeding supplies for 21,000 meals, and medical supplies for a ten day medical mission are already on the way. A medical mission team has already been deployed this morning and equipment to set up mobile water stations have also been sent.
HELP US HELP THEM. HELP US TRANFORM LIVES.
There may be reported debris flows in northern Luzon but we can work hand in hand in making the blessings flood. Call us at 477-7802 to 04 to know more on how you could extend your helping hand. You may also send your monetary donations through banks (http://www.staging2.obphil.com/home/give-through-banks/) or credit card (http://www.staging2.obphil.com/home/give-through-credit-card/) or drop by our office to send gifts-in-kind (http://www.staging2.obphil.com/home/give-in-kind/). Any help, monetary or in-kind, no matter how big or small, can make a difference.
Photos by: Cheriz Abrigo, Volunteer Photographer
