8 December 2014 – Reaching a maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph, Typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit) is officially this year’s strongest storm. It lashed through central Philippines with violent winds and heavy rains. Although the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) reported that Typhoon Ruby has weakened into a tropical storm, it continues to threaten the Southern Tagalog provinces. Storm signal warnings are still hoisted over 14 areas, including nine in Central Luzon and MIMAROPA regions. Albay, Masbate, Catanduanes and Camarines Sur provinces in Bicol Region, Pilar in Capiz, Leyte and Samar have been declared under a state of calamity.

 

Due to rough to very rough sea conditions over seaboards across Bicol, the Visayas and Mindanao, the Philippine Coast Guard suspended sea travel, resulting to over 1,953 passengers, 74 vessels, 429 rolling cargoes and four motor boats being stranded at several Philippine seaports. More than two hundred domestic and international flights were also cancelled by different airlines. Class and work suspensions were also declared.

 

Power outages are being felt in 17 provinces of Regions 4-A, 4-B, 5, 6 and 8, while cellular networks are currently down in some parts of Leyte and Eastern Samar. Life-threatening winds, threats of storm surge, flash floods and landslides engendered mass evacuation of residents away from coastlines and flood- and landslide-prone areas. Four flooded areas were reported in Quezon Province, Region 4-A.

 

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), typhoon Ruby affects 259,675 families or 1,186,961 people as of December 8 evening. Of these, 226,605 families or 1,034,464 people are being served outside and inside evacuation centers.  They are currently in evacuation shelters, schools, churches, gymnasiums, barangay and municipal halls and elevated areas in regions 4-A (Calabarzon), 4-B (Mimaropa), 5 (Bicol), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas) and CARAGA. Some put up makeshift tents along highways, and even made ditches, caves and mausoleums as survival shelters from the typhoon.

 

In the province of Iloilo, two were confirmed dead due to hypothermia. The Philippine National Red Cross pegged fatalities at 16 in Borongan, Eastern Samar and 2 in Northern Samar and Samar provinces, although the NDRRMC has yet to confirm this.

 

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported P1.02 billion ($22.89 million) worth of damages in agriculture in Bicol, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.  Crops, fisheries and livestock sub-sectors suffered production losses reaching P990.07 million ($22.14 million).

 

Farm and fisheries infrastructure incurred damages amounting to P29.99 million ($670,793.15).

 

The extent of damages and number of casualties are still expected to swell as reports continue to come in.

 

Still reeling from the wrath of Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), affected communities once again suffer loss of lives, damage to property, water sources, farms and crops and livestock. Inside the evacuation centers, the children and the elderly face greater health risks because of overcrowding, lack of food, high probability of ingestion of unsafe drinking water, inadequate availability of water for hygiene, and lack of access to sanitation. Barely recovered from the trauma of past disasters, they face yet another rage of nature. Damages to infrastructure and livelihood make it incredibly difficult to recover.

 

Appeal for Support

Displaced families are in need of immediate relief (food and non-food items). Thousands of families are cramped in evacuation areas, encamped in caves and inside temporary shelters along highways and even inside ditches and mausoleums. With houses destroyed, people are expected to stay longer in evacuation centers. They need canned goods, rice, dried fish, mongo beans, laundry and bath soaps, toothpaste, toothbrush, sleeping mats, blankets, etc.

 

Drop your donations at the CDRC Office, 72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, Quezon City.

For cash donations:

Peso Account:

Account Name: Citizens’ Disaster Response Center

Bank: Metrobank, Examiner Branch, Quezon City, Philippines

Account No. 636-3-63600741-3

 

Dollar Account:

Account Name: Citizens’ Disaster Response Center

Bank: Metrobank, Examiner Branch, Quezon City, Philippines

Account No. 636-2-63600158-3

Swift Code: MBTCPHMM