Ssc Ondoy Update - 20091027

DAYS OF CONTINUED SUPPORT, HOPE AND MOVING ON Updates on TS Ondoy Response Three weeks after Tropical Storm Ondoy wreaked devastation to vulnerable and not so vulnerable communities in Metro Manila, survivors are now trying to gradually move on despite surmountable difficulties. The Tuason Community Center Foundation Inc. (TCCFI) has continuously launched relief delivery operations parallel with those being undertaken by other institutions or organizations in its partner communities which are among the hardest hit in Marikina City, that is, Doña Petra of Brgy. Tumana, Purok 5 and Minahan of Brgy. Malanday. Individuals or small groups of families coming from other communities who have been recommended for assistance have also been given relief packs after validation of their condition.

The debris on the roof of the day care center and a residential house have been cleaned up but not those on the grounds; hardened mud and garbage stuck in the compact soil need pooled efforts to get rid of.

As of today, a total number of 4,686 relief packs consisting of rice, bread, groceries, water, and toiletries, 706 mats, 800 blankets, 2,422 packs of used clothing , 300 slippers and 600 (5 galloons) water containers have been distributed to 2,386 families coming mostly from the communities of D. Petra, Tumana, Purok 5, and Minahan of Malanday. Distribution which is either sponsored by TCCFI or co-sponsored with other agencies or organizations, is based on actual needs, capacities of the survivors and extent of assistance earlier extended, hence, a family may receive more than once. After distribution of the basic relief packs, subsequent assistance provided varying types of goods depending on the results of the most recent needs and capacities assessment, the latter being ensured by staff who are fielded regularly to the communities.

The bulk of relief goods were donated by the Benedictine Schools , alumnae , various individuals and groups, many of whom came not only to deliver goods, but also to volunteer in the sorting, repacking and loading of goods. On October 10, 2009, a medical mission co-sponsored by the TCCFI, Philippine National Red Cross- Rizal Chapter and the Philippine Medical Association was conducted and served 182 medical patients from the affected partner communities of TCCFI, 99 of whom were pediatric patients while 83 were adults.

The medical mission co-sponsored by the TCCFI, the Philippine National Red Cross- Rizal Chapter and the Philippine Medical Association; children and adults alike needed medical attention due to various ailments indicative of poor environmental sanitation and lack of nutrition, an aftermath of the flashfloods.

At present affected communities are trying to rebuild their homes from whatever they were able to retrieve from the rubble brought about by the flashflood. Residents of the most affected of the TCCFI partner communities until now are still removing and cleaning thick mud that has hardened in their houses and immediate premises and washing of clothes and other personal effects that they deem still usable.

Making do with what was left…mats and plastic sheets for roofing and walling as evacuees had to vacate the classrooms of public schools which served as evacuation centers.

The TCCFI has initiated consultations with its partner communities to identify prospective rehabilitation endeavors that aim at rebuilding not only physical but also social structures that were devastated by the disaster. Aside from houses, communal structures like day care centers of the partner communities have become dysfunctional; one center was almost completely covered with mud and debris while the roofing and facilities of the other day care centers were washed out. Although day care pupils are hopefully awaiting each day for their teacher’s announcement of class resumption, they will have to wait for a while for everything, from paper and pencil up to classroom facilities, to be generated and put in place. Sr. Angela with Fr .Abbot

Day Care Center , Iwahig , Dona Petra

Day Care Center ( Minahan,Malanday )

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After relief assistance, what’s next? The TCCFI executive directress, visitor, staff and volunteers in a new round of ocular inspection to validate communities’ needs and prospects in post disaster rebuilding efforts.

Two community-based income generating ventures (community variety stores) have also been dislocated; one store’s cash on hand which was kept in a place thought to be safe being located on a higher ground, was swiftly flushed out of the house by the strong waves of murky flood waters in just a few minutes while both totally lost store items. The coming days of TCCFI involvement in the rehabilitation efforts of its partner communities will focus on reactivating community-based programs through which capability building on disaster preparedness and sustaining development activities will be coursed through. The huge challenge of community building needs a strong cooperation among stakeholders. It is in this light that the Tuason Community Center Foundation Inc. calls for continued support to rebuilding efforts of disaster-stricken communities. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As of October 27, 2009