THE number of people affected by tropical storm “Vinta” has climbed to over half a million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council said.
The Council’s executive director, Ricardo Jalad, said 117,528 or 550,805 persons living in 1,019 barangays in Caraga, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Regions 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and even Mimaropa were adversely affected.
Jalad said 19,203 families or 89,524 persons are in 231 evacuation centers while 12,512 families or 62,834 individuals are getting aid outside.
Jalad said 164 persons were reported dead, 65 in Region 9, 75 in Region 10, and 24 in the Armm. However, these figures are still being validated along with the 170 reported missing.
Jalad said Region 9 and Caraga registered P52,086,275 worth of agricultural damages while Regions 9 and 10 had P161,710,000 worth of damages in infrastructure.
Due to massive damages brought by “Vinta,” Tambulig in Zamboanga del Sur, Bacolod in Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Norte were declared under a state of calamity.
NDRRMC spokesperson Mina Marasigan said relief aid, coming from the Department of Social Welfare and Development has already been flown to the Laguindingan airport in Misamis Oriental. This includes 1,600 food packs transported without cost by Philippine Airlines.
Marasigan said these will augment relief items carried by Air Force Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” cargo aircraft.
The United Nations has expressed readiness to extend support to humanitarian response to the badly hit regions as it offered sympathies to the victims of the tropical storm.
Ola Almgren, UN resident coordinator, said the preparation and response efforts of the Philippine government are “acknowledged,” and as in the past, UN “remains ready to render support in response to humanitarian need.”
The statement comes after Secretary-General António Guterres offered his sympathies to the families and victims of the calamity.
“[Secretary-General Guterres] salutes the efforts of the national rescue and recovery teams as well as volunteers who are operating under difficult conditions,” his spokesperson said in a statement.
“The UN stands ready to support the local and national authorities, in addition to the support already being provided by humanitarian partners.”
On Sunday, Pope Francis, the United States and Australian government also offered prayers to the victims of the tropical storm.
“I want to offer my prayers to the population of the island of Mindanao, in the Philippines, hit by a storm that has caused numerous victims and destruction,” the Pope said after his weekly Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
“Merciful Lord, take in the souls of the dead and comfort those who are suffering as a result of this calamity. Let’s pray for these people,” he added.
In 2015, the pontiff visited the Philippines and held a holy mass in Tacloban where super typhoon Yolanda caused enormous devastation in 2013.
In a tweet, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim also offered his “thoughts and prayers” to the victims of tropical storm Vinta.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorley also shared similar sentiments saying Australia’s “thoughts and sympathies” are with the families affected by Vinta.
Japan also offered assistance to the Philippine government over casualties and damages caused by Typhoon Vinta.
On behalf of the Japanese government, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe extended his “heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families,” expressing his sympathy to those who were affected.
Having shared experiences on devastating calamities, the Japanese leader said they are in solidarity with the Filipinos as a nation who “fully understand the hardship caused by the severe damage of typhoons.”
“Japan is ready to provide assistance needed by your country including provision of emergency relief goods to the maximum extent possible and sincerely pray that the affected areas will recover as quickly as possible,” he said.
Vinta made landfall in Davao Oriental last week and crossed various provinces across Mindanao causing flash floods and landslides, which rendered several roads impassable. (pna)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
