While many of us Filipinos are still facing the COVID-19 pandemic, Typhoon Odette (international codename Rai), the fiercest typhoon to hit the country in 2021 has a maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 185 km/h, and central pressure of 955 hPa. The powerful typhoon made nine landfalls in December 16, 2021 on (1st) Siargao, Surigao del Norte, (2nd) Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands, (3rd) Liloan, Southern Leyte, (4th) Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, ...(5th) Carlos P. Garcia, Bohol, (6th) Bien Unido, Bohol, (7th) Carcar, Cebu; and on December 17, 2021 – (8th) on La Libertad, Negros Oriental and (9th) Roxas, Palawan.
As of the 6AM December 21, 2021 report from the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Disaster Response Operations, Monitoring and Information Center (DSWD-DROMIC), Typhoon Odette affected more than 2,348,754 persons or 588,778 coming from 4,293 barangays in Regions V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, MIMAROPA, and Caraga. 674,125 persons or 176,412 families were displaced by Typhoon Odette, 459,673 individuals or 112,966 families are temporarily taking shelter in 2,261 evacuation centers. Typhoon Odette’s strong winds and the surges it induced damaged 139,007 houses in the affected regions, of which 53,797 houses were totally damaged and 85,210 were partially destroyed. 365 people were reported dead. The extent of damage reported are still in partial as the situation in many more affected areas are still not coming in due to damage in electric power and communication lines. Media reported of the massive devastation caused by Typhoon Odette as it showed glimpses of damaged houses and infrastructures, uprooted trees and displaced population staying in temporary shelters.
Families and communities affected by Typhoon Odette need our help especially when we are still reeling and facing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Samahang Operasyong Sagip (SOS) is a disaster response network of various organizations and individuals coming mainly from the health sector that aim to render assistance to disaster-affected communities. Samahang Operasyong Sagip (SOS) once again appeals for your support to help the people who were affected by Typhoon Odette. SOS is calling for donations in cash and in kind for our relief and rehabilitation efforts such as food, clothing, water, beddings and medicines and hygiene kits, construction materials to help the disaster-affected communities. With your assistance we can help provide support and services that the people in the disaster-affected communities need. We are also calling for volunteers to assist us in various disaster response work such a resource generation, relief delivery assistance and possible medical missions.
In the spirit of giving and solidarity especially in this Advent Season, we hope you can share your blessings with our brothers and sisters affected by Typhoon Odette.