Overview
Estimates from different international organizations focused on relief puts that around 12 to 16 M people have been affected by the catastrophic damage of Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) in the Philippines, with several regions in the country placed under a state of calamity. The typhoon, which struck the Philippines brought torrential rains, violent winds, landslides, and storm surges in the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, and the island of Palawan in Luzon before it exited the Philippine area of responsibility on December 17, 2021. Of the 2.1 M houses affected, more than 400K has been destroyed. In agriculture, the initial estimate of 3B is now adjusted to almost 13B as more affected areas were reached. [1]

 

Response

SEARICE has immediately reached out to its partners in Negros and Bohol provinces, faith-based organizations, and with the assistance of Fastenaktion, was able to respond to the aftermath of Odette. A Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) was conducted in two provinces where SEARICE implements its projects to determine the critical interventions needed by the affected communities. The analysis showed that communities in the municipality of Sipalay in Negros Occidental, Ubay, and Dagohoy municipalities in the province of Bohol needed food, beddings, health and sanitation kits, and kitchen utensils.

 

From December 21, 2021, to January 22, 2022, SEARICE former staff, farmer partners, and volunteers prepared 493 relief bags for distribution (250 packs for Bohol and 243 for Negros).

 

In Negros Occidental, the relief goods were distributed in the municipality of Sipalay on January 18, 2022, with the help of the parish volunteers (Social Action Center of Bacolod) of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Magic Villanueva. Coordination was made through Ms. Olive Seruelo of SAC and the Diocese of Bacolod through Rev. Fr. Chris Gonzales.

 

In Bohol, relief packs were distributed in six barangays from the municipalities of Ubay and Dagohoy on January 23, 2022, with the assistance of former SEARICE Staff Merigine Otara and long-time farmer partner Estella Calamba.

 

[1] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (26 May 2022). Philippines: Super Typhoon Rai (Odette) Situation Report No. 9.

United Nations Population Fund Philippines (18 May 2022). Situation Report 07: Super Typhoon Rai (Odette)

GMA News (12 January 2022). Odette damage to agri nearing P13 billion —DA.