Super Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) cut a wide swath of destruction after making landfall nine times across Caraga region (Siargao, Dinagat Islands); Eastern Visayas (Southern Leyte); Central Visayas (Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental); and Palawan.
While the casualty toll is still being updated, it is evident that the physical damage has been comprehensive. Two weeks after it struck, big areas are still without electricity and affected communities are bracing for a protracted return to normalcy. According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, some 570,000 persons are sheltered in evacuation centers out of a total out of more than 4.2 million persons affected by the disaster.
As both the national government and local government units exert efforts to provide relief, it is gratifying to note that the international community has extended significant assistance.
The United States has committed to contribute more than P1 billion after providing initial assistance for food, water, and hygiene supplies. Since 2010, it has given more than P17 billion in disaster-related assistance. Australia is contributing P187.5 million in emergency relief and has also brought in solar lamps, mosquito nets, plastic tarps and sheets. The European Union is giving P161 million worth of humanitarian aid including, food, drinking water and shelter as well as emergency funds. Switzerland, Hungary and Ireland are also among the early benefactors.
South Korea’s $2 million in cash and $50,000 in-kind assistance reflects the closeness of its ties with the country. After delivering some 10,000 metric tons of rice, China is also extending $1 million in emergency cash assistance. Singapore has channeled its $60,000 aid through the Red Cross.
Japan, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom also launched relief operations, aside from sending basic goods, generators, and temporary shelters.
Despite the serious economic setbacks dealt by the pandemic, the local business community has responded vigorously, too, through the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, a network that includes most of the country’s largest corporations and business associations. Conversion of cash donations to food and provisions for the hard-hit areas has been facilitated by digital fund transfer services.
Social media channels have served as focal points of various initiatives launched by private foundations, advocacy groups, universities, and professional organizations. Political campaign groups have pivoted their attention to providing assistance to the affected communities.
In Roxas, Palawan where the typhoon made its ninth and last landfall more than a day after the first landfall on Siargao island, 650 families received rice that was distributed by the Rotary Club of Roxas. Local Rotarians purchased 2,650 kilos of rice from the proceeds of a fund drive. Another 2,900 families or nearly 15,000 residents of Araceli, Palawan northeast of Puerto Princesa City also received rice assistance. In Barangay Tagburos, Puerto Princesa, 102 families were provided cash aid of P3,300 to cover the cost of roofing material, sawali and nails so they could immediately rebuild their destroyed homes.
Such heartwarming stories of benevolence from the international community and from local business firms and civic organizations infused cheer and comfort to families hard-hit by the calamity.