Yolanda’s devastating numbers:
A call for all to help, volunteer

THE STRONGEST thus far in the world’s recent history, super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ exacted horrendously tragic numbers of death and destruction across 36 provinces (39 cities, 343 towns, 1,741 barangays) – or more than a third of the 80 provinces of Philippines.

The latest situational report that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) released today, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, is a clarion call for all Filipinos to help out, any way we can.

As of 6 am, Nov, 10, the NDRRMC reported:

• Casualty toll: 151 persons reported dead, and 5 persons reported missing. The numbers of the dead and the missing are seen to rise further still, pending receipt of more field reports.

• Affected communities: 982,252 families or 4,459,468 persons. They include 101,762 families that had been displaced and are now being assisted inside and outside 1,426 evacuation centers.

• Affected areas: 1,741 barangays in 343 municipalities and 38 cities in 36 provinces of Regions IV-A, IV-B , V, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI, and CARAGA.

• Damaged houses: 2,380, including 2,071 homes totally destroyed, and 1,409 partially damaged.

• Affected infrastructure: 18 roads and one bridge in Regions IV-A, IV-B, V, and VII.

• Stranded: 501 passengers, 3 vessels, 67 rolling cargoes, and 1 motorized banca in Regions IV-B (Puerto Princesa), V (Albay and Sorsogon), and VIII (Maasin City and Catbalogan City).

• Suspended operations: airports of Busuanga, Roxas, Kalibo, and Aklan.

• Power situation: Since Nov. 7, 2013, a number of towns and entire provinces have experienced extended blackouts. Power has been restored in Sibulan and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, Siquijor; Pakil, Pete, and Pagsanjan in Laguna; Angono in Rizal; and the provinces of Quezon and Camiguin.

Network outage continues in Aklan, Antique, Capiz in Region VI; towns of northern Cebu and Bogo City in Region VII; Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Sanmar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar in Region VIII; and Surigao del Norte in Region XIII.

• Estimated cost of assistance: A total of P10,636,254 worth of relief assistance has been provided to families in Regions IV-B, V, VI, VII, X and XI.

The amount came from the Department of Social Welfare and development augmentation support, P9,648,554, and Local Government Units, P987,700.

• Cost of damage: P7,215,831.75 worth of damage to infrastructure and agriculture.

Here are useful contact/hotline numbers:

National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)
(02) 911-1406, (02) 912-2665, (02) 912-5668, (02) 911-1873,
(02) 912-3046, Trunkline: 911-5061 to 64

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Trunkline: (632)931-81-01 to 07, local 426 or 425
(Disaster Response Unit); (02) 951-7119; Pasay Office
Hotline: 851-2681, 511-1259

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
(02) 304-3713, (02) 304-3904

Philippine National Red Cross
Hotline -143, (02) 527-0000, (02) 527-8385 to 95

Philippine National Police (PNP)
Hotline Patrol – 117 or send TXT PNP to 2920

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
Dial 136, 882-0925 (flood control)
Trunkline: (02) 882-4150-77 loc. 337 (rescue),
255 (Metrobase) Metrobase: 882-0860