Tropical Storm “Sendong” (international name: “Washi”) roared through the country last Friday and Saturday leaving behind a wide swath of damage and destruction. It made landfall in Surigao del Sur on Friday and moved westward over Northern Mindanao towards Palawan. The storm dumped over 181 mm of rain in 24 hours, the equivalent of more than a month’s normal rainfall.

As it left the country, it left behind an estimated death toll of 700, with hundreds missing and thousands of families affected. Hardest hit by the storm was Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities in Mindanao where entire communities along river banks were swept away or buried in mud. There are an estimated 22,000 families affected, while the NDRRMC is expecting the death toll to rise to as high as 900 as verification is on-going. The storm is likened to “Ondoy” (“Ketsana”) in its massive destruction, and is said to be one of the deadliest cyclones to enter the Philippines in 12 years.

The Commission sends its prayers and deepest condolences to all the affected families and communities.

In light of these events, we are accepting donations for Sendong victims until Thursday, December 23. Our address is Rm. 238, 2nd Floor, Mabini Hall, Malacañang, San Miguel, Manila. Please feel free to contact us at tel no: 736-1171 / 735-3144 / 735-3069.

SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE EVACUEES:
Mineral water or water purifier, instant noodles, canned goods, rice, milk, feeding bottles, diapers, napkins, habol/banig, mats, towels, soap, sleepers for children and adults, toiletries, toothpastes, toothbrushes, utensils, emergency lamps, utensils, spoon and fork, plastic cups, garbage bins, disinfectants, toilet cleaning, plates, clothes, blankets, basins, pails, dippers.

MEDICINES:
Cough medicines such as lagundi/carbocistein, pain killers such as mefenamic acid and or paracetamol, anti-diarrheal medicines loperamide / oresol, clean gloves, sterile gloves, normal saline (washing), plaster, medicine cups, medicine dropper, anti-infectives-amoxicillin, anti-hypertensives – losartan, nifedipine, plain NSS