RAFI continues relief packs preparation and distribution in Cebu and Bohol
MANILA — Typhoon Odette decimated the south of Cebu, where it took landfall on December 16, 2021. It severely destroyed southern towns, ripping apart concrete roads, destroying bridges, flattening agricultural land, and snapping trees and electrical posts like twigs. Towns were rendered inaccessible initially and communication was completely down.
As access to South of Cebu continues to improve, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. – Emergency Operations Center (RAFI EOC) has continued to deploy rapid assessment teams to gain full insights of the extent of damage.
With many towns and provinces inaccessible since the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, this would be first for local government units to interact with local organizations providing relief and conduct assessments.
The RAFI EOC has deployed several rapid assessment teams to Bohol Province, conducting an extensive rapid assessment across the island. Hundreds of individuals were left homeless as Typhoon Odette rammed into Bohol Province, toppling over trees and destroying homes. Towns were hit by 4-meter flood water, destroying infrastructure, and rendering towns inaccessible.
For towns such as Tubigon, Clarin, Inabangga, and Sagbayan, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. is the first foundation to visit their town to conduct a rapid assessment and measure the extent of damage.
Damage left in Bohol Province in the wake of Typhoon Odette remains massive. Water and fuel remain scarce, with people lining up for hours to get access to fuel.
Distribution of relief packs has begun in affected areas in the Provinces of Cebu and Bohol as the RAFI Emergency Operations Center closes in on completing its rapid assessment across the two provinces.
The RAFI EOC has distributed 2,540 relief packs to families in Danao City. Each pack contains 5 kilos of rice, 3 canned sardines, 3 packs of noodles, 3 cans of corned beef, and 6 liters of drinking water.
Based on results of rapid assessment, the RAFI EOC will distribute relief packs to the following areas:
1. Municipality of Carmen
2. Municipality of Catmon
3. Municipality of Tuburan
4. Municipality of Balamban
5. Municipality of Barili
6. Municipality of Badian
7. Municipality of Alegria
8. Municipality of Ronda
9. Municipality of Alcantara
10. Municipality of Dumanjug
11. Municipality of Moalboal
12. Municipality of Sibonga
13. Municipality of Ubay
14. Municipality of Talibon
15. Municipality of Jetafe
16. Municipality of Tubigon
Distribution to these areas will commence in the next days as the RAFI EOC finalizes data and prepares its relief packs.
Preparations are underway for relief pack distribution in Bohol Province. More than 5,000 relief packs are currently being prepared by the foundation and will be ready for distribution within the week. Phase 1 of distribution of relief packs will begin in severely affected towns in Bohol province.
The RAFI EOC will complete its rapid assessment tomorrow, December 23, 2021, and fully moves into Phase 1 of its humanitarian response, providing emergency relief to affected communities. Recent rapid assessment show islets of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu severely affected by Typhoon Odette (International: Rai), with Olango Island badly hit.
As RAFI EOC focuses on providing emergency relief, repacking of more relief packs to severe affected towns and municipalities begin after Christmas. Volunteers are welcome to support RAFI’s packing efforts. Volunteers must sign up here: https://bit.ly/33LhmLP
Food, water, shelter, and fuel remain scarce and inaccessible for thousands of families affected by Typhoon Odette. RAFI is accepting financial donations from individuals and groups who wish to help. For in-kind donations, the organization is accepting donations of the following items most in need at the moment:
• Water
• Water filters
• Generator sets
• Fuel
As of December 22, 2021, the foundation has raised Php. 5,668,206.00 in cash and pledges from individual donors and organizations. The foundation is set to purchase an additional 50,000 relief packs for Cebu and Bohol, drinking water for the tri-cities of Cebu, and generator sets for Cebu and Cebu Province. Relief packs and support will be added as more data continues to come in from RAFI’s Rapid Assessment teams.
The Foundation continues to coordinate with the Local Government Units, Government Agencies, and other Private Organizations to identify better interventions to response to the needs of the vulnerable sector.
RAFI is open for partnerships. Its Donation Hub is OPEN for donations and support from local and international organizations, as well as from individual donors. Donations will be used for the provision of immediate relief of affected families and communities.
Interested partners can contact RAFI through their email address [email protected] or through the following numbers 265-5914 (landline), 0917-633-2936 (Globe), and 0933-879-2966 (Sun).
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
