Between August 18th and 22nd, more than 60% of Manila flooded. A month's worth of rain fell on August 19th alone. In our community - Banaba - rivers burst their banks and more than 2,000 families were forced from their homes. Waters have receded, but families who have lost their homes, livelihoods, and possessions need relief goods to help them get by in the short term while long-term solutions to the problems they face can be found.
Banaba is a community on the outskirts of Manila which suffers from disproportionally high rates of poverty and lies in a flood plane surrounded by rivers. When a typhoon caused an enhanced monsoon in August, the rivers rose quickly and within hours homes were flooded. Many families were in evacuation centres for five days, saw livelihoods destroyed, and spent precious savings on food and dry clothing while in evacuation centres. Now as clean-up begins they're struggling.
We'll help 180 particularly hard-hit families by providing a relief pack of food and hygiene items. The pack was designed by flood affected community members, so contains the items they feel will be most useful. Each pack contains; 2 kilos of rice, 2 packs of noodles, 2 large cans of sardines, 2 toothbrushes and toothpaste, 1 bar of soap, and a bucket.
The relief pack will help families feed themselves for a few days, providing breathing space while stores can be re-opened, parents can return to work, and life can return to normal. Families receiving goods are all members of local community group Buklod Tao who already participate in long-term poverty alleviation programmes. The short-term aid you provide will make it easier for them to participate in their own long-term recovery.
