Just watching on TV the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda really made my heart ache for the people in the Visayas especially to the people in Leyte. Seeing the dead people lining up all over the place really makes me cry. I just saw on the news before I went to bed a dad was carrying his 5 or 6 year old dead daughter to bring to the area where they could embalm the kid. Not sure if she will belong to the mass graves then because of lack of facilities already. No medicine I think to do it. They’re already out. Almost every building there collapsed already. They just made hospital bed under the tent. I also saw a lady underneath the debris, just by watching I know that she’s dead. Seeing the news feed from my FB, I was crying seeing the whole family, the dad just open his arm one arm his wife was lying the other arm his kids. They were all dead. It’s so hard to see and not shed tears.
Really I didn’t think of it the first day after the typhoon. Not much feed from the media at that time. Communications were down. Everyone waits, until the press releases a lot of the videos. My gosh, it’s so hard watching the TV without crying. I thought the Pablo and Sendong were disastrous already but what we have now really devastates us more. Too many towns almost wiped out. Too many people lost their lives. To be honest when we went to give out to the Pablo victims before I was pretty scared that people might attack us because they really are in need of food and clothing, which they almost did. I am more scared of the people there right now. I think to give out right now you have to have some military with you to help out that you, as a giver will not get hurt too. I’ve heard from a person that I knew that they were mugged by just walking to go to the safe area for shelter. People just be thinking they had some food with them. They were really scared for their life.
I’m really sad for the people of the Philippines right now. Three years in a row, we’ve been hit hard by really bad typhoons. A few times people here were not ready. After those few disastrous events the government and the town officials that were supposed to be in the path, they’ve been trying to be prepared before the typhoon hit. But no matter how prepared the place was it is still caught off guard. Nobody can predict what mother nature will do. Lots of those people that already went to the evacuation center, but the water just swept them away. I’ve seen, a news people take shelter from the church, thinking that it would be safe there since it’s a big building and it’s concrete. But guess what the roof just flew away, then the building just starts falling. They made video and you can hear the wind whistling and the tree just breaking to pieces and flying all over the place. The news lady just starts crying relating the events because in her mind that’s the end of them. Listening to her I was crying too. I can’t blamed her for crying on air. No communications there right now all cell towers were down and no powers in almost all the places there.
If you wanted to see the names of your loved ones. Check SunStar and other big news TV station from time to time on their website they will post the names there:
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2013/11/10/list-typhoon-yolanda-survivors-tacloban-313035
We will continue praying for the people there that suffered and lost their lives. To the LiP family that lost some love ones there our heart goes out to you guys. Prayers for all of you. Be strong and God be with you all!
Love & Prayer to all of you!!!
This is beyond comprehension. But I see comments and complaints, people seeking someone something to blame. That help is too slow that not enough help from PH government, EU, US, China, Russia. There is help. There is food, water clothes aplenty even planes dropping supplies. But where how much how do you know if your’re helping or just throwing things away. I know it does not help to say they are doing all they can if you have no water or food, or even simple medicine or bandages. Bless every responder, and all who give even just a prayer. To those who are upset and angry give them a prayer too.
Hi Gerald – Yep it’s so true that its beyond comprehension. A lot of people here just wishing that the government just get rid of all the red tapes and let those people that wanting to help to do their jobs. Lots of stuff already waiting to be distributed, just waiting for the go signal. People are dying, and so stinky there.
A big thank you to all the people all over the world that donates and volunteered. From the bottom of our hearts thank you to all. Yep and still praying for the victims and family!
Feyma, There are many criticizing the government for Slow response in getting relief supplies to the area and while some slow response has been noted, Not all of the problems can be blamed on the government. The airport was destroyed, There is no local Air Traffic control, No Instrument Landing systems or Runway lights for night landing. Like wise the port was severely damaged.
The Arrival of the USS George Washing to should help greatly as It has it own air traffic control systems on board and can take local control of the airport from the sea. More over I am sure that with a crew of over 5000, there will be much more man power to distribute supplies and help cleanup operations as only 1/3 of the crew is required on board when in port. We should see some real improvement in the relief efforts soon.
I too am heart broken to see such suffering but their situation should Change dramatically in the next Couple of days.couple of days!
Hi Joe – People also had some reasons to get upset with the government here. All of the people here just wishing that the government just get rid of the taxes and the customs to the goods that were given. I don’t think we need to tax those in my opinion.
Yep thank God for the countries that came here to help out. It really meant a lot to the Filipino people. We are so thankful that people all over the world reunites to help out the people here. Thank you to all.
Lets continue praying for the victims and families there. Lots still missing. God bless!
Hi Feyma,
When I hear the amount of food, water and shelters I know it is not enough to help everyone. I am very worried about what it’s going to be like in a monh after the media has lost focus. Weave decided that if there any orphaned children, we may try to adopt so they can have a better life and future after such a tradgey. I hope people look at alternative ways to help as well.
Hi Dirk – I hear you… No matter how much you bring there, it’s not going to be enough. That’s why I wish that people will continue on helping there. They really needed it there for a long time.
Good idea. I hope you will get one so easily. I hope that they will consider the adoption to be easier to achieve right now than going to so many red tape though.
Will continue praying for the future for the people in Vizayas.
What a storm.. This is where all my Philippine family lives. We have not heard from them since the storm.
Third party told us that they are alive but hungry. All my family but my in-laws lost there homes. My in-laws roof is said to be damaged but we will help them with a repair. We heard the water got up to waist high in the house–but house stood the test of design. We have spend a lot of time watching tv and on the computer and phone talking to others who have the same problem. A lot of tears have been shed but we hope in time most of the homes can be replaced. I was married there and been back nine times in the last twenty years but doubt it will ever be the same in my lifetime. Many prayers have been said for all the people in the Philippines……
Hi don m. Exactly. I hope and pray that your family there are okay. Yep, house can be repaired but lives that lost can’t be restored. Hoping for the best for the people in Leyte and Cebu.
You can see what this disaster meant to the world by the donations which have flooded in as reported on the BBC website (figures changing all of the time and I’m sure there is a lot which is not reported here) –
Asian Development Bank: $500m (£312m) emergency loans and $23m in grants
Australia: A$30m ($28m, £17m) package, including aircraft, medical staff, shelter materials, water containers and hygiene kits
China: 10m yuan ($1.6m; £1m) in relief goods plus $200,000 (£120,000) from government and Red Cross
European Commission: $11m (£6.8m)
Indonesia: Logistical aid including aircraft, food, generators and medicine
Japan: $50m (£31m), including tents and blankets. Pledged up to 1,000 soldiers, 25-person medical team already sent
outh Korea: $5m (£3.1m) plus a 40-strong medical team
UAE: $10m (£6.2m) in humanitarian aid
UK: $32m (£20m) aid package, sending aircraft carrier, destroyer and large transport aircraft
US: $20m (£12.4m) in humanitarian aid, 300 military personnel, aircraft carrier and other ships, military aircraft plus logistics support
(This list is not comprehensive)
In addition to all of this, the people of the UK have raised GBP13million in persoanl donations. I’ve got to say that their generosity made me proud.
I pray and hope that the donations will actually go to the people in need. I want to see accountability and transparency for the donations being given to the Philippines.
We all have the same prayers Miss August.
God bless!
Hi AJUK – FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS “THANK YOU SO MUCH” to all generous nations for helping and giving.
Really we the Filipino people can’t thank enough to all the nations that gave financial support and other aid to our country. It really humbles me to see all the support from all over the world.
Thank you so much and Mabuhay Philippines!
The aid just keeps pouring in!
I hope you don’t mind me posting links.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24970066
http://www.philippineflightnetwork.com
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24936387
It’s just amazing how much the world wants to help the Philippines
AJ – The UK has really helped with substantial money. It is almost 3.5 billion peso. There are about 10 million Pinoy’s globally. So their impact on the world is felt. I think that makes a difference to people helping the Philippines in a big way. Most countries have developed strong ties with Philippine people. I come from Queensland, Australia and there are about 1 in 100 people that are Pinoy, in America about 4 million which is about 1 in 100.
Hi AJ UK – As long as it helps the people, I don’t mind.
Thank you for sharing and Mabuhay Philippines!
Hi Feyma,
My name is Paul, and a resident of Japan. My heart goes out to all the victims of Haiyan/Yolanda. I have passed through Tacloban several times while visiting my son in the Philippines. Such a lovely city -Tacloban, and I hear that eighty percent of it has been devastated by the Typoon. I still have clear memories of the city of how it was before the disaster struck.
My two year old son , and his mother live there in Southern Leyte. From what I have gathered from the internet Southern Leyte managed to escape the wrath of Yolanda, but is cut-off from electricity and communications. I have been trying to get through to them but to no avail. I now worry if they will be able to receive my monthly remittances. I am completely at lost as to what to do as there seems to be very little information coming out from the area. Maasin city is close to where they live, I just hope they have plenty of food remaining there because Tacloban was the logistical hub through which most goods were flow to other cities and towns in Leyte. I would be please to hear from any of your readers whom may have current information about conditions in Southern Leyte. And how, and if there is any way to be able to connect with my loved ones?
Hello Mr. Shepherd,
My name is Toti, currently residing in the US, originally from Southern Leyte. My family are doing fine. There are problems but they are alive, thank God. I’ve talked to them thru their cell phones. The whole Southern Leyte have no electricity, they were told they might have it back in January. They charge their cell phones by paying 15 pesos to someone who has a generator in town. Grocery stores in Sogod are running out of goods, banks and money transfer are running out of money, gasoline and/or kerosene are running out, they can only buy 50 pesos at a time. They see a lot of people from the north (Tacloban area) who are going south llike Sogod or Bato or Maasin to buy stuff including gasoline. If you want to send money to them and you know someone you can trust in Cebu or Bohol who can bring the money to them, that’s probably the best way.
I hope you can get in touch with them soon. There is cell phone signal. Good luck.
Hello Feyma,
Great article. Thank you.
Hi Toti – Thank you for the info for Paul. Thank God your family are okay. It’s going to be hard for them there living without electricity and luck of food though. Wow, electricity will be restored in January? It will be hard for them. But I’m just hoping that they will have food supply, at least if they have they can just cook outside in the fire and have fire for light during night time. It’s really heartbreaking seeing them crying on TV asking for help.
I’m glad you like my post. Still continue praying for our kababayan in Leyte. Take care and God bless!
Hi Paul – Yep, the area that you are talking about were spared from the big disasters. Only thing they still are affected there with no electricity and such. Communications been down in Leyte after the typhoons. Hopefully they can get a hold of you soon.
Will continue praying for all the people there. It will take awhile for those people to recover. Take care and God bless!
Hi Feyma,
Thank you for your encouraging comments. Toti has written information that has given me a clearer picture of the situation, and I am now in touch with my loved ones. I am grateful that they are all ok. Your article has been very helpful, I can now react on the information received. I wish and pray for a speedy recovery of all those who got caught up in this terrible catastrophe.
God bless you!
Hi Toti,
Thank you for the information. This is only first hand information that I have been able to obtain about the situation on the ground. Immediately after reading what you had written, I tried again to call, and managed to get through. They are all fine (thank god), but food and gasoline are in shortage due to panic buying. In connection, with remittances, small amounts may get through, again like you say, banks and money transfer are running out of money. They were due to fly to Japan to spend Christmas & the New Year with me, and had just applied for their passports in Tacloban a few weeks before the Typhoon struck. It is obvious they are not going to get their passports now.
Maybe they will need to go to Cebu to repeat the process over again? Well that is the least of their problems for now. I am praying that the situation will improve! Thank you again Toti for sharing the information.
Mrs Feyma,
It saddens me watching it on TV. So much suffering. I can’t imagine going several days w/o food. What upsets me is NPA and other criminals stopping the trucks and robbing food. Alot of criminals on the loose after the jails were destroyed robbing, stealing from people. Eight people were killed trying to steal rice from a warehouse when the building collapsed. The Marines are taking supplies in the Osprey aircraft to the remote villages where there no other way to get supplies to them. Watching people push and shove to get on a C-130 back to Manila is really heartbreaking. The Marines had to physically hold people back. All you can do is pray for everyone.
Hi PapaDuck – It really is a heartbreaking to see the people there having a hard time. Yep, I agree with you more devastating to see more criminals do more crimes. Really feeling sorry for the innocent people that strive hard to survive there.
On the brighter note, more help coming from all over the world. Hopefully it will get to the people that in need right away. So true we will just continue on praying for them there.
Take care!
Sad, sad situation.
Hi loren pogue – So true.
Feyma – I haven’t watched footage, but it would be difficult to watch. International communities have stepped up with much support. Recovery is always slow despite all the help though. May the peace of God that transcends all understanding, be with the Philippines through the recovery.
Hi Brenton – It’s really hard watching the news. So heartbreaking and tears will just flow. It’s just so nice to see that too many people all over the world reach out and help out. I think almost all countries send something for the people here. Filipino people are just so grateful of the help that was given.
Thank you for the nice comment!
There is mass panic of food running out so prices are soaring
Hi maria – Yep, that’s what I hear. I’m surprise people didn’t attacked them and steal their stuff. I’ve heard of places being robbed.
Feyma:
Do you know if there are any online lists of casualties from the Cebu area?
The parents and siblings of my God son had moved there for work. No one has heard from them and I assume it is communications issues but would like to check to make sure.
Thoughts and prayers are with that situation.
LeRoy
Hi LeRoy Miller – Not much in Cebu. But what place in Cebu your God son family lives? They might just be out of electricity at the moment, i’m just hoping that’s the case for them though.
Try to go to Sunstar News Cebu.
Good luck to you. Hopefully you will hear from them soon.
Hi Feyma, It was indeed a devastating typhoon, no question about that, the destruction was unbelievable. It is true that seemingly the Govt. was slow to respond but normally when a catastrophe of this magnitude occurs as in “Hurricane Katrina” in New Orleans some years ago, there was also slow response from the Govt. at the time the first days after the storm before things were fully up and running. In Tacloban and other badly hit areas the relief is now in full swing and hopefully residents will be able to rebuild their lives slowly but surely. Personally, my thoughts go out to the people of Tacloban, as well as all the areas that suffered damage with hopes for a promising future for all.
Hi Richie R. – For sure. It’s understandable that it will take a few days to get it going with the response. Just hoping it was quicker than a week though, too many people were already starving and people were getting sick too with the dead bodies there that were just lying all over the place.
I’m just hoping too that the relief goods that came from all over the world be distributed to the badly hit places.
Thank you to all people who gave and volunteer to help out there. Highly appreciated. We still continue praying for the people there.
I live in Angeles City. We were not badly affected by the typhoon. I have given a friend of mine 10000 peso so she can travel to Ormoc to see if her family are OK. I know it’s not much but it is all I can afford from my pension. God bless those poor people in Leyte and Samar.
Hi Murray – That’s very generous of you to do that. I’m sure she’s happy to go there and check out her family. I’m sure the family will be thanking you later.
We will continue praying for the people there in Leyte.
Have a good weekend!
To the victims of the tragedy, this is heartfully dedicated –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZoZwdesumY
My wife made this little tribute. It’s hard to watch without filling up!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_zYZj7j_1Y&feature=em-share_video_user
Hello Feyma: It is heartbreaking to see the devastation in the Philippines. Our relatives were spared in Cagayan and Cebu. Here in the U.S., there are celebrities who are staging benefits to aid victims in the Philippines. Terry Sylvester of the Hollies and the band “Ambrosia” will be staging a benefit concert on November 30th in Boca Raton, Florida. Terry Sylvester has a big heart for charitable causes.