Typhoon Goni 'Rolly', which battered provinces south of the capital Manila on Sunday with gusts of up to 310 kilometres per hour (190 mph), is the 18th to hit the Philippines this year and one of the strongest typhoons since Haiyan killed more than 6,300 people in 2013.
- Forcible evacuation of more than 345,000 people.
- Goni partially damaged more than 55,000 homes and flattened 20,000 more.
- Most of the island’s power lines were damaged in the typhoon and reports from towns are only trickling in, suggesting the death toll there could rise.
- Up to 90 per cent of homes have been badly damaged or destroyed in some areas.
- Seven of the victims were in a town that was hit by a landslide of volcanic ash from the nearby active Mayon volcano.
- Hundreds of people trapped in their homes by floodwaters.
- Residents in provinces south of Manila have started clearing homes of mud and debris, while people in still flooded communities were separated in tents inside evacuation centres to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
This typhoon has smashed in to people’s lives and livelihoods on top of the relentless physical, emotional and economic toll of COVID-19 leaving people hungry and helpless.
The battle of twin disasters as people who were affected by the Pandemic have to now battle it out with two back to back tropical storms and flooding as they have left with little to nothing as they fight for survival in the relief camps with escalated risks of the Pandemic and the loss of livelihood brought on by the floods. Weather forecasts have issued warnings of another Storm (Atsani) that is expected to make landfall later this week.
Please stand with APBAid and the affected conventions in the Philippines in prayer as we reach out to them:-
* For those who have been displaced – lost loved ones, homes, crops, infrastructure, livestock and livelihood for God’s hand of comfort and love to surround them at this time.
* For Authorities and Health Officials as they do their best to control the situation, carry out rescue operations while coping with the ongoing threat of Coronavirus in the regions.
* For urgent relief and aid to reach the people who are trapped and swamped in the region.
* For the weather to get better as further warnings of another storm is expected to make landfall later this week.
APBAid status and possible responses:
APBAid has identified and is looking to meet the needs in the region. While we are responding and meeting the needs of COVID it has become apparent that we also need to support this catastrophe that has hit Philippines.
We want to ensure we complement any work that is being done locally, by the government and communities.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with APBAid through roshan@apbf.org
If you wish to support our brothers and sisters, you can partner with APBF by contributing towards the work we are doing in the region. (If you are in India you can donate via CBCNEI).
Anticipating your prayerful support!
