Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), one of the most powerful typhoons on record, ripped through central Philippines Friday, November 8. It made its first landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar at 4:40am. With sustained winds of 235 kilometers per hour and gusts of 275 kph, it made its second landfall over Tolosa, Leyte at 7am, and its third landfall over Daanbantayan, Cebu at 9:40am. At 10:40am, Yolanda made its fourth landfall over Bantayan Island, Cebu, and by 12nn its fifth landfall over Concepcion, Iloilo. It maintained its strength, and by 8pm, it made its sixth landfall over Busuanga, Palawan. It started to weaken as it exited the Philippines Saturday afternoon.

 

The super typhoon has set off landslides, storm surges and flashfloods, knocked out power and communication lines, uprooted trees, wiped off buildings and houses near the sea, crumpled tin roofs and upturned cars. Thousands of families living in risk areas have evacuated ahead of time. However, even evacuation centers were deluged by the strong winds and flash floods, leaving several people injured or dead.

 

At least 151 people were confirmed dead as of Sunday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said. This number is still expected to rise as reports continue to come in.

 

So far, 982,252 families or 4.4 million people were affected in 1,741 barangays in 343 municipalities and 39 cities in 36 provinces in Regions IV-A, IV-B, V, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI and CARAGA. Out of the affected, 101,762 families or 477,735 persons were displaced. There are 86,513 families or 403,503 persons staying inside 1,425 evacuation centers.

 

Yolanda left at least 3,480 houses damaged, with 2,071 totally destroyed in Regions VI and XI. In Tacloban, government officials said only a few homes were left standing.

 

Roads and bridges were also destroyed, leaving several communities still isolated.

 

Appeal for Support

Affected families are in need of food, water, medicine, shelter kits, sleeping kits and hygiene kits. 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