Typhoon Tembin – locally known as Typhoon Vinta in the Philippines, made its landfall and devastated the southern island of Mindanao on Thursday, December 23, 2017.

The powerful storm has displaced more than 70,000 people in southern Philippines, 50,000 of whom were staying in temporary shelters, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

It has killed more than 200 people with scores of others still missing, sweeping away residents and leaving communities buried in mud and floodwater.

Despite the ongoing relief operations for affected residents, many are still having extreme difficulty after the strong typhoon wreaked havoc in the region. Some lost their houses and their primary source of living.

Relatedly, the NACSEARELIEF received a report from the local church team in Davao region particularly in Carahayan and Jose Abad Santos. According to the report, almost all houses in the said area are devastated and even sweep away due to mudslide and extreme flooding. Some of the local churches in safe areas are now being used as temporary evacuation shelters by affected families.

Coordinating with the local team, the NACSEA Relief immediately responded to the primary needs of affected families such as food and water. An amount of Php50,000.00 was initially given to the local team for the immediate relief operation.

Update of relief operation and rehabilitation planning will be posted shortly.

Some photos of the devastation brought about by Typhoon Tembin courtesy of Pr. Bandaan.