Typhoon Washi made its landfall on the Northern part of Mindanao and brought 10 hours of torrential rains.  This triggered disastrous flooding over Mindanao, a part of the country that rarely experiences typhoon. The result was catastrophic.

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NACSEA Relief Task Force Sendong(Washi) convened and decided on how to help effectively the victims. With the support from NAK Karitativ in Germany we  sent initial funding for first aid and relief to our brothers and sisters. (Excerpt from NACSEA  RELIEF NEWSLETTER 1)
The affected area belongs to the pastoral responsibility of Ap. Leonilo Desoloc, and Bh. Leonardo Deneiga. We were able to bring immediate help of food and water to our brethren, and most especially comfort that they are not alone.

It is heart-warming that the people from all walks of life conveyed their time, effort and donations for our brothers and sisters in need in Cagayan, Surigao and Iligan. A District Evangelist volunteered helped with used clothes from his congregation in Tagum congregation; half way around the world from Eindhoven Netherlands to Iligan, we were able to help the family of Sr. Alona Maranga in Iligan who was affected by the typhoon; a box of clothes from Uster was sent via LBC free of charge; a sister from Surigao who was a typhoon victim herself volunteered to help her congregation and its surrounding, too;our Project Coordinator Mabel Bagtas, has seen firsthand the effect of Typhoon Washi in Surigao. NACSEA Relief was able to distribute relief goods to 250-families in 3-Barangays (Brgy. Navalco, San Juan and Zaragoza Island).

Early morning of December 17th, people realised that many did not survive. Men, women and children lost their lives.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council bulletin update dated 9 January 2012 total numbers of affected families 120,233 = 1,141,222 persons. Death toll is now at 1,257 (this is not including those who died of Leptospirosis)

Affected area ranges from 13 provinces namely Region VI, VII, IX, X, XI, CARAGA and ARMM.
On 19th December 2012, we have established communication with Ap. Leonilo Desoloc and Bh. Deneiga who have pastoral responsibility of the area.
On 20th NACSEA Relief Task Force Sendong convened and decided on how to help effectively the victims. With the support from NAK Karitativ we sent initial funding for first aid and relief to our brothers and sisters.

 

 

We were able to extend help thru our active partners ALPS (Aid Line Philippines Swiss) , NESTLE, HOLCIM, GAISANO MALL, STAMM LOGISTICS, Le Delice, SPRINGBOARD FOUNDATION, and other unnamed volunteers who made our efforts felt by those who needed it.

 

An Apostle’s Area

Cagayan de Oro is mainly Apostle Desoloc’s pastoral area. He is the first one on the scene that made initial assessment for NACSEA Relief. His sms messages to our DA Hebeisen, made clear that first aid assistance was badly needed. Below is an excerpt from the Ap. Desoloc message:

“I already visited our members in San Juan, Maribohok, Tidman and Mangagoy which were affected by the typhoon. Many suffered damage, the boat of Priest Manginsay, broken roof of houses, and broken sewage plantation. I bought nipa shingles, for their roof. I bought most specially rice, canned food for their consumption. And they all very happy and extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to you.”

 

Missing wife and daughter

In the pastoral area of Bh. Leonardo Deneiga, we received sad news. Our member Oliver Olampong’s wife and daughter were visiting Sister Ermilita’s parents in Iligan when the flood came. On the morning after the flood hit Iligan, Brother Oliver came to find the house of his in-laws completely washed away by the flood. He has searched for 3 days in the entire nearby evacuation centre to no recourse.

“I talked to Oliver Olampong…he was shocked when he saw the place of his in-laws. The house was gone.” – Excerpt from Bh. Leonardo Deneiga’s report

As of this writing, no word whether the mother and daughter were found. We shall continue to help Bro. Oliver Olampong to search for his relatives.
Bh. Deneiga also gave the New Apostolic members of Iligan relief goods. It somehow the aid comforted them especially since only a few days before Christmas. 6 other families were then given food package in Iligan.