Recovery After Typhoon Doksuri

The Unbound community was struck by tragedy on July 26 when an 18-year-old sponsored woman in the Philippines died after a passenger boat she was on capsized from strong winds from Typhoon Doksuri (known locally as Typhoon Egay).

Among the 25 other victims of the boating accident, which happened on Lake Laguna southeast of Manila, were the grandmother of a sponsored child, the daughter of a sponsored elder and the niece of another sponsored elder. Names are being withheld pending notification of sponsors.

The typhoon produced rain in a band more than 400 miles wide, causing severe flooding and mudslides. The areas of Antipolo, Manila and Quezon, where thousands of families in the Unbound program live, were seriously affected. Information was still coming in, but nearly 60 families in the program reported flooding in their homes and loss of property, as well as damage from the strong winds.

Supporting families

"We have conducted rapid assessment and relief distribution and hope to provide families with aftercare through the Critical Needs Fund,” said Julius Manolong, coordinator of the Unbound program in Antipolo. “We are in close monitoring with the families and other frontliners for updates in the few days to come. Our prayers and solidarity for families who have lost their loved ones in this trying time.”

Typhoon Doksuri made landfall early on the morning of July 26, entering the central Philippines from the west. Though it had weakened after having been categorized a super typhoon, the storm still carried winds in excess of 140 miles per hour as it moved north through the main island of Luzon. It exited the country early July 27, heading for the Chinese mainland.

Mavic Ihap, coordinator of Unbound’s Quezon program, reported no casualties in her area of responsibility, where damage was not as severe.

“Many parts of the northern part of the Philippines are submerged in water caused by the continuous heavy rainfall,” she said. … “The majority of the population of the [Quezon program] is safe and in a better situation despite the inclement weather condition.”

The Quezon program has been preparing for assessments and possible housing and economic intervention for families with partially damaged homes and crops, to help them with their housing and livelihood needs.

“A community assessment has been ongoing with the staff and local partners to know [families’] actual situation [so they can] be provided with aftercare services,” Ihap said, adding that “round-the-clock monitoring” provided by local communities and the families themselves is taking place.

At this writing, another typhoon, known internationally as Typhoon Khanun, was gaining intensity in the Philippines Sea. Malou Navio, Unbound’s regional project director in the Philippines, indicated that additional challenges lie ahead for families in the program.

“News as of this morning [is] that today [July 31] until Wednesday [Aug. 2] is another three-day continuous monsoon rain due to [Typhoon Khanun],” she said. “The forecasted areas affected are many communities served by Antipolo, Legazpi, Manila and Quezon.”

What you can do

• • Make sure your contact information is current. In times of natural disaster, Unbound notifies sponsors personally if we learn that their sponsored friends have been injured or otherwise seriously impacted, so keeping your information updated is important.
• • Pray. The Unbound community holds all those affected and those assisting with relief efforts in our thoughts and prayers.
• • Donate to the Critical Needs Fund. The fund assists families in the aftermath of events such as severe storms, earthquakes and fires.