The Philippines is appealing for help from the international community as its people in the Southern part of the country grapple with the terrible aftermath left by super typhoon Haiyan on Friday.
Rescue operations
A massive rescue operation is going on to aid the victims of the typhoon that hugely damaged properties and may have killed thousands of people in many parts of Southern Philippines, mostly in the province of Leyte. President Benigno Aquino flew to Tacloban City, Leyte on Sunday to view the damage and check the condition of the victims. The government, he said, is giving priority to the restoration of power and communications in far areas and the clearing of roads leading to the devastated localities. This is to facilitate easier delivery of relief and medical assistance to the victims.
Six landfalls
The strongest typhoon that has formed on earth this year and said to be one of the world’s most powerful typhoons in the past century, Yolanda (international name Haiyan) lashed mercilessly with its strength of 314 to 379 kilometers per hour. It practically did some island hopping as it made six landfalls on Friday that triggered brutal winds and giant waves to invade the island provinces of the Visayas.
The first landfall occurred in Guiuan town in Easter Samar at 4:40 a.m. Friday. The second happened in Tolosa town of Leyte at 7 a.m., and the third landfall came in Daang Bantayan in Cebu City at 10 a.m. Yolanda made its fourth landfall in Bantayan Island again in Cebu City at 10:40 a.m., the fifth in Concepcion, Iloilo at 12 noon and the sixth landfall happened in Capiz at 1:00 pm. Typhoons that visit the Philippines every year normally make just a single landfall and then they weaken as they continue to move. Landfalls refer to the eyewall of the typhoon hitting the land.
Casualties
An estimated 10,000 people are feared to have perished in the central part of Leyte. Provincial Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria said that Haiyan destroyed 70%-80% of homes and buildings located along its path as it lashed the area. Tecson Lim, Tacloban City administrator said that the actual casualty toll in Tacloban City, capital of Leyte province, may even be higher than 10,000. Across Tacloban is Samar Island where 300 people were declared dead in the Municipality of Basey and 2,000 more were reported missing. Many of the casualties met their death when a storm surge took place, causing sea waters to go up as high as 20 feet at the height of the storm. In Samar, there were towns that remained unreached, with the people needing food and water. Power and communication lines were cut off and radio became the only possible communication system.
Tsunami-like effect
The tsunami-like effect of super typhoon Haiyan caused an estimated 630,000 people to leave their homes and stay in evacuation centers. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) of the Philippines said the evacuees are being served inside and outside the refugee centers, as all the centers are already full. The airport in Leyte’s capital city Tacloban, was not spared from the super typhoon, with its tin roofs lifted up and crumpled and parked vehicles upturned. The glass walls of the airport’s tower were smashed by heavy winds.
Foreign aid
While many victims left homeless by the typhoon are sheltered in temporary evacuation places, search and rescue operations are underway to save more people who may still be trapped under the debris. American forces have been sent to the Philippines upon the request of the Philippine government. US Secretary of Defense Charles Timothy Hagel instructed the U.S. Pacific Command to give assistance to the U.S. government relief operations. The first deployed batch consists of 90 marines and sailors who were sent to give air support and to help in the search and rescue operations.
Meanwhile the appalling condition of typhoon Haiyan victims has jolted widespread response from the international community. The UNICEF, WHO and other international organizations are working hand in hand to gather donations from all over. On the other hand, Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, sent a message to President Aquino saying that the EC has dispatched a group to help the Philippine government. Barroso stated that the Commission is ready to contribute to the urgent relief of the victims at any time of need.
Unconfirmed number
The reported death toll, said to have reached 10,000, remains unofficial. But once it is confirmed, the catastrophe would be the most tragic natural disaster in Philippine history. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said President Aquino was dumbfounded when he learned about the extent of damage that the super typhoon left. Amid the ongoing chaotic situation in the province, the problem of disorder brought by looting is becoming a major concern.
Haiyan is currently traversing the path to Vietnam but its strength has reportedly weakened. It is expected to make a landfall Monday at a 75 mile-per-hour speed.
Photo Credit: Super Typhoon Haiyan
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