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CAMBODIA, PHILIPPINES, VIETNAM, (November 9, 2020) – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is responding with cash transfers, seeds for crop replacement and food to sustain as many people as possible who have been affected by the succession of storms that recently swept across parts of Southeast Asia.
Millions of people in the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam have been evacuated to overcrowded shelters with no means of social distancing.
Officials are expecting more outbreaks of COVID-19 to add to the damage of lives already altered due to massive flooding, mudslides, and violent winds.
Strongest Storm of 2020 hits the Philippines
When tropical depression Ofel made landfall and moved across the Philippines on October 14, stronger storms followed and hit the area within two weeks.
Tropical Storm Saudel (local name Pepito) made landfall on October 21, causing flooding in the town of Lopez, Quezon. Four days later, Typhoon Molave (local name Quinta) brought heavy rains and maximum sustained winds of 130km/h (80 mph), causing massive flood damage to the island of Mindoro.
As people from Quezon and Mindoro were recovering, Typhoon Goni (local name Rolly) came along on November 1 and intensified to a Category 5 Super Typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 225km/h (139 mph) and gusts of up to 280km/h (173 mph).
Local authorities say the storm could be compared to Super Typhoon Haiyan, which left more than 6,500 dead in 2013. Storm surges by Typhoon Goni destroyed thousands of homes in Catanduanes, submerged towns in Albay with lahar, and affected more than 1.4 million people throughout six different provinces.
“Super Typhoon Goni was an exceptionally strong typhoon that ripped through communities already affected by recent typhoons and COVID-19,” says Tom Pignon, ADRA’s country director in the Philippines. “While the people of the Philippines are incredibly resilient, we cannot underestimate the compounded impact of these multiple disasters. ADRA is already on the ground working with local authorities and our partners to assess the needs and determine how best to support those whose lives have been torn apart.”
Learn More about ADRA’s response in the Philippines HERE.
Crops and Infrastructure Decimated in Vietnam
In Central Vietnam, almost six weeks of excessive wind and rain, since September, have resulted in structural damage to 300,000 homes, destroyed income sources, including 113,000 hectares (~289,000 acres) of rice and crops, uprooted fruit trees and timber plantations, and damaged 12 water sterilization plants. Local reports also confirm that at least 10,000 households are unable to access any clean water, and more than 230 lives were lost.
“After the initial storm, people were not prepared for another one so soon,” says Quentin Campbell, country director of ADRA in Vietnam. “Due to the slow onset and succession of storms, the impacts will increase as flood waters remain in place.” Campbell predicts that this will cause the death of trees, the erosion of river banks and roads, as well as waterlog buildings.
“Transportation is restricted now, due to flooded and damaged roads which impacts delivery of goods,” he says.
“Our response team is on the ground this week working with local authorities to distribute cash transfers. Our initial response will be to support 510 households,” says Campbell. “The cash transfers are a top priority because people have lost their livelihoods. This will help the most vulnerable households to purchase necessary nutrition, personal hygiene or building materials to meet the most urgent needs.”
Learn more about ADRA’s response in Vietnam HERE.
Food Becomes Scarce in Cambodia
ADRA in Cambodia has faced several severe flooding in different provinces throughout the region over the past months. While responding, they have been serving on the ground to support households that lost their livelihoods and have been providing assistance to combat gender-based violence. The latest typhoon to hit the country left 38 people dead and more than 14,000 households displaced.
ADRA has assisted 450 families with food assistance in the Bakan District of the Pursat Province. Now, the response team is preparing for assistance for an additional 500 plus affected in Kampong Svay, Phneit, Russeit Kraok, and Takong communes of Sereisophoan and Mongkul Borei districts. Food is being provided to those with immediate needs and livelihood recovery is being assessed and supported.
“We are in the process of providing rice seed for crop replacement and cash transfers to the newly affected households of the underprivileged and most vulnerable people to meet basic needs and ensure food security,” says Mark Schwisow, country director of ADRA in Cambodia.
For more information about ADRA’s response in Cambodia, visit HERE.
ABOUT ADRA
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church serving in 118 countries. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. ADRA’s purpose is to serve humanity so all may live as God intended. For more information, visit ADRA.org.
