Asia in desperate need of hope after series of natural disasters

ReliefWeb: After Saturday , September 26, 2009 Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana), The Phillipines's estimated 2.3 million in 27 provinces affected residents are embracing Super Typhoon Pepeng and another one coming as another scary weekend is ahead. The streets of Manila are not yet completely dried, but the vulnerable displaced flood victims are catching their breath for bigger, lethal, fearful, rounds of troubles. After sleepless nights scrambling for survival, life is still far for hopeful future. National Disaster Coordinating Council of The Philippines have declared 246 deaths as of September 30, 2009.

HOPE worldwide Philippines managed to rescue children and staffs from three Centers of HOPE in Binan, Quezon City, and Baseco. Despites the fact that staffs are affected by flood themselves as high as seven to 10 feet and losing their personal valuable possessions, they continue to serve as new evacuation centers for children were set up, a command center serving as collection point for aids to be distributed, and working closely with over 2,700 volunteers from local partners who themselves are victims of the disaster. Over 1,000 volunteers of HOPE worldwide Philippines were affected as they strive to survive and serve. Local volunteers have mobilized 2,000 blankets, water, food, rice, clothes, and two rubber boats to deliver assistance to still-flooded slums of Manila.

HOPE worldwide has secured donations of health supplies, hygiene kits, and much more ready to be sent to Manila once received clearance by the government and custom. Much works are still needed in The Philippines as the silver lining is still far in the sky. Threats of infectious diseases such as diarrhea, pneumonia, typhoid, and Cholera are lurking for opportunity to blossom in the poor sanitation. The three centers of HOPE are awaiting for rehabilitation once the water dries, while the community surroundings are continuing to be living in higher risks and deeper poverty….

Flooded waters during the height of Typhoon Ketsana / Ondoy, shot by Exec8, Wikimedia Commons