Typhoon Goni left at least 21 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands in the Philippines. Learn more about the powerful typhoon and how you can help survivors through community-led relief efforts.
At least 21 people are dead after the devastatingly powerful typhoon made landfall in the Philippines early Sunday morning. Typhoon Goni was the strongest storm to hit anywhere in the world this year, with sustained winds of 140 mph and gusts up to 174 mph.
The storm, known locally as Typhoon Rolly, can be compared to a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane. Goni approached as a super typhoon and became one of the strongest storms to make landfall in the Philippines since Typhoon Haiyan, which killed more than 6,300 people when it hit the country in 2013. Goni passed over the Philippines and has been downgraded to a tropical storm.
Source: CNN + The Associated Press
In addition to the rising death toll, an estimated 370,000 people have been displaced by the storm. The coronavirus pandemic made evacuations more difficult and raised concerns about health and safety in evacuation centers. The Philippines has recorded more than 380,000 COVID-19 infections that led to 7,221 deaths.
Source: The BBC
Typhoon Goni made landfall in Catanduanes, home to more than 260,000 people and a hotspot for Pacific storms. Typhoon Molave lashed the area a week earlier, and residents in the province were cut off from power and communications.
Along with heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides, there were reports of 16-foot storm surges in the province, and in the town of Virac, nearly 90% of homes were damaged. The storm downed most electricity posts on the island and blocked roads linking the province’s 11 towns. More than 300 houses in another region were covered by volcanic debris. The capital, Manila, was spared from the worst of the damage.
Source: The Associated Press
Just a week earlier, 22 people were killed after Typhoon Molave swept through the same area that Typhoon Goni cut across. The Philippines’ national weather agency has also warned of another developing storm, Atsani.
Every year, about 20 typhoons hit the Philippines, which is in the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where earthquakes and volcanoes are common. Climate change has intensified deadly storms, floods, landslides, and the damage they cause. Scientists say the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world in terms of natural disasters, and rising sea-surface temperatures increase the risk for more frequent and more severe storms.
Source: The New York Times
GlobalGiving’s Disaster Response Team is working with responding partners to meet the immediate needs of Typhoon Goni survivors and first responders. Once urgent needs are met, the GlobalGiving Super Typhoon Goni/Rolly Relief Fund will transition to support community-led, long-term recovery efforts as needed.
Source: GlobalGiving Typhoon Goni/Rolly Relief Fund
Why? Survivors’ needs vary greatly throughout the life cycle of recovery. Some will require financial support, medical care, and psychological assistance years down the road. You can learn more about how to help people affected by Typhoon Goni in this infographic about the importance of cash donations to vetted, community-led organizations in the Philippines.
Source: GlobalGiving + USAID Center for International Disaster Information
Featured Photo: Satellite image of Typhoon Goni by NASA
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