MANILA- (December 15, 2014) – A few days after typhoon Hagupit hit the Philippines, international aid agency CARE distributed food packs almost 2,000 families in badly-hit villages in Eastern Samar, in coordination with local partners. In the coming days, a total of 3,500 families will have received emergency food rations.
CARE distributed rice and a variety of canned goods consisting of corned beef, sardines and meat loaf to two of the most affected municipalities including Oras and Dolores, where Hagupit first made landfall, and where residents say food remains a pressing concern, a week after the typhoon.
Rufina Ogdalia, a 38-year old mother of four children, shares that before Hagupit, her family could afford to buy fish and pork meat for their meals. Now, they make do with rice, and mix salt, soy sauce and cooking oil for viand. This is due to money being scarce these days after the typhoon destroyed their small village convenience store and their farm with coconut trees, banana trees and root crops.
“These are just some of the municipalities who bore the brunt of Hagupit, and people in these parts of Eastern Samar have been telling our CARE team and our partners that in their areas, Hagupit was stronger and more damaging than super typhoon Haiyan. Like in Rufina’s case, many agricultural activities here have been destroyed or were greatly affected by Hagupit, leaving people without their regular sources of income and food,” says Alexandra Maclean, Country Director for CARE Philippines.
The typhoon damaged coconut trees, a main source of livelihood for people in this part of Eastern Samar. The local government of Oras shares with CARE that assessments from the Philippine Coconut Authority indicate a 100 percent damage to coconut trees in this municipality. In addition, houses were damaged and crops flooded.
Rufina’s house made of light materials was totally damaged, leaving them with the double burden of having to repair their shelter and restore their livelihoods, but without any resources to do either.
“That is why aside from the food assistance to meet the immediate needs of communities and families affected by Hagupit, CARE and partners are also planning to help communities support with shelter and livelihood to boost their recovery,” said Rachid Boumnijel, CARE’s Food and Livelihoods Advisor for the typhoon Haiyan response, who also led CARE’s first batch of food distributions in Eastern Samar.
CARE has launched a fundraising appeal for USD 5 million to meet the relief and recovery needs of families affected by typhoon Hagupit across Samar. CARE plans to help 5,000 families rebuild their houses and 10,000 families earn an income again.
The Philippine government is leading the Hagupit response and CARE is working closely with the government to assist its efforts.
CARE has worked in the Philippines since 1949, providing emergency relief when disaster strikeand helping communities prepare for disasters. CARE’s past responses in the Philippines have reached more than 318,000 people with life-saving food, shelter support and financial assistance to rebuild their in incomes.
Media contact:
Winnie Aguilar, CARE Philippines Media & Communications Officer, +639175108093, winnie.aguilar@care.org