Build Rescue Boats in Flood Prone Communities

Over the last few months the impact of your amazing generosity has been plain to see in the community of Banaba, just outside Manila.

In mid-August thousands of people were forced to flee their homes when the seasonal monsoon, enhanced by Tropical Storm Karding, brought torrential rains to the capital.

At the time Ka Noli, president of our brilliant local partner Buklod Tao, sent this report about the situation in Banaba:

“On 11 August 2018, noon time strong rain started; 3:00 pm, flooding started. Water level at the two rivers at the height of the rescue efforts: 21.00 metres [68.9 feet] at Batasan bridge and 20.00 M at Nangka bridge.

Families affected by floods:

• North Libis: 850 families

• South Libis: 700 families

• Banaba Extension Ph 2: 1,200 families

• Baybay Sapa: 20 families

• Laylayan: 54 families

• Belong Compound: 400 families

• Armpac: 700 families

• Balante: 40 families

• Riverside: 300 families”

In many cases the flood waters rose quickly, trapping families before they could evacuate. Lives could easily have been lost but, thanks to your incredible donations to this project, our fleet of community-based rescue boats was on hand to help. Ka Noli continued his update:

“Buklod Tao Disaster Response Teams started to make the rounds in the community, utilising the rescue boats named for Graham Maher, GlobalGiving, Helen Thompson and Nova Mills.

Luis Mandarico, [Team leader] in North Libis utilised the GlobalGiving to assist 100 families. The Helen Thompson assisted 100 individuals from forty families. The Nova Mills boat also evacuated fifty people.

The community is so grateful to the donors for these boats! Mabuhay!”

We echo Ka Noli’s thanks and are delighted to see your investments in Disaster Risk Reduction yield such social return. Thanks so much.

However, Buklod Tao’s original big rescue boat was damaged during the storm. Ka Noli, asked if we could help with the repair work and we happily agreed.

And, although we were keen to get the boat back into use ASAP, we took a little time to repaint and rename the boat while we had the chance. So, we’re delighted to report that IDV’s ninth rescue boat was recently named the Chris Chaggar. Chris was my mum and sadly passed in late 2009, when IDV was just starting. I think she would be happy to know that her boat is now back in position protecting the Ampid area of Banaba.

Thanks so much for making all this possible.

We’re now raising funds to build our tenth boat, so if you are able to help further then we’d be incredibly grateful as always. If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email Andy@IDVolunteers.org. I would be delighted to hear from you.