World Vision intensifies relief drive for Bohol quake survivors

Unfazed by recurring aftershocks and damaged roads in Bohol, World Vision relief teams scale up its emergency response to assist 50,000 people affected by the 7.2 quake. 

 

In coordination with local authorities and community partners, World Vision ensures that relief operations are carried out appropriately to serve the most vulnerable  families hit by the quake. World Vision associate director for Visayas Ernie Macabenta, who also hails from Bohol, shares, "Relief operations is a time to foster greater unity between NGOs, local government responders and disaster-affected communities. Humanitarian actors must work together to address the urgent needs of affected families."

 

Assessment and validation teams continue to round up hard hit communities in the towns of  San Isidro, Loboc, Antequera, Maribojoc and Catigbian to reach out to quake stricken families. Hundreds of volunteers troop to World Vision's relief center in a school gym converted to a warehouse where relief goods have been sorted, packed and hauled to delivery trucks. 

 

World Vision delivers food, water, hygiene packs to at least 2743 families in Sagbayan, the quake's epicenter location and in nearby Danao. Tents used as temporary living spaces are provided to 154 families in the hard to reach areas of Antequera and Catigbian. Despite the threat of aftershocks, thousands of families who were temporarily sheltered in tents and evacuation centers, took the long queue to avail of relief goods to sustain them in the next days. World Vision aims to provide relief assistance for 10,000 families and shelter materials to 4000 families who lost their homes.

 

Better camp management is needed to address foreseen issues on health, hygiene and sanitation. Drinking water is becoming scarce and contaminated in some areas due to yellowish, porous substances in the water supply.There are also growing concerns to ensure that child protection measures are enforced to avoid any form of abuse and exploitation. There have been reported cases of children begging for food along roads. Thousands of school children are still out of school as classes remain suspended in Bohol and Cebu where around 1,228 schools are reportedly damaged. 

 

World Vision will also set up child friendly spaces (CFS) to assist around 2000 children to cope from the disaster. Through CFS, children are provided a safe environment for them to play, learn, and have fun with other children amidst the crisis.  

 

The coming months are filled with uncertainty for more than 360,000 people who remain displaced in shelter camps. Authorities estimate that almost 57,000 houses were destroyed by the quake. Displaced families in evacuation camps remain in fear as they feel the tremors, with over 2700 aftershocks have been recorded and around 75 have been strongly felt since the quake last October 15. Death has now exceeded 218 with 768 injured and 8 missing.

 

The government also reports that the quake destroyed over PHP 1.644 billion (est $4M) worth of infrastructure in Bohol, Cebu and other the affected islands of Central Visayas. Bohol's economy, which thrives on eco-tourism, have been heavily affected due to the massive devastation of famous sites like the Chocolate Hills  and heritage churches. Bohol's agricultural production has also been hampered due to extensive damage of water irrigation systems. After relief phase, World Vision looks into recovery programs to assist communities in rebuilding homes and livelihood.  — World Vision news release