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Yolanda survivors from Leyte arrive in Manila


Survivors of super typhoon Yolanda in Leyte province arrived in Metro Manila on Wednesday to receive treatment, getting a temporary reprieve from the heart-rending wasteland created by one of the country's worst disasters.

According to a report on "24 Oras" on Wednesday, the survivors were flown to the National Capital Region in one of the C-130 aircraft provided by the US.

Felizardo Clarito, recuperating in East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, recounts how his family survived the rising waters.

"Bigla po lumakas 'yung hangin, pati yero nagliliparan, pati puno ng niyog nababali," said a teary-eyed Clarito.

"Nakahawak din lang sila sa grills ng bintana, ako nakahawak sa bubong ng truck para lang hindi kami malunod," he added.

One of those who arrived on Wednesday was Erwin Ojales, carried in a wheelchair with his feet in bandages. He said his feet were hit by a motorcycle at the height of the storm surge.

He also lost his house, and is now with a sibling who lives in Taguig.

Another survivor is Rea Angela Fabre, who has barely received treatment from a miscarriage after the storm.

"Kagabi po, dinala ako ng boss ng asawa ko sa airport, nagpacheck up kami. Wala raw silang dextrose 'dun. Binigyan lang nila ako ng antibiotic," she said in the report.

Another survivor now in Manila is mural artist AG Saño, the brother of climate change campaigner Yeb Saño, who made an emotional plea during the UN climate talks in Warsaw, Poland on the impact of the typhoon in the country.

The official death toll due to Yolanda continues to rise. The latest figure is 2,344 as of Wednesday afternoon, with 79 still missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Wednesday afternoon.

Yolanda, which brought monster winds and tsunami-like waves last Friday, is officially the fourth strongest tropical cyclone in world history in terms of overall strength. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/BM, GMA News

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