By Riene L. Tagupa | Project Leader
The victims of Davao City fire which in April 4, 2014 razed more than 3,000 homes, have sighed of relief when overflowing relief goods reached to the evacuation centers offered by various groups, government agencies, and non-government organizations. Although the houses of the victims were totally eaten up by the merciless fire, the victims have been relieved from distress as the assistance has kept on coming in.
Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc. (CJFI), a Davao City based social welfare development agency (SWDA), was one of the NGOs that quickly responded to the needs of the victims. A day after the disaster which destroyed the 3 coastal barangay communities, CJFI sent overflowing supply of foods to 6 evacuation centers located mostly in public elementary schools.
CJFI has organized a pool of volunteers to look into the needs of the fire victims and to maintain organized food distribution. In its first week of food distribution and feeding especially to kids, CJFI has served about 60% of the victims. Many other groups have made their own initiatives in responding the needs of the victims which results to an overflowing supplies of foods. No victim that hasn’t received his share of the blessings as Davawenos have rhyme in unity to help the victims showing love and generosity.
Councilor Cadungog, one of the most visible barangay officials during the rescue operations, who assisted CJFI volunteers in its feeding and food distribution mission, aired his gratefulness to CJFI for its quick and sustained response to fire victims in his community. He told us that when the fire started, the barangay officials were having their regular session. They were in panic because the fire spread out very quickly due to strong winds coming from the sea. His sense of heroism manifested in his first reaction upon knowing the incident as he went on saving his constituents forgetting his family members. Said he, “I was so thankful to God because after the fire his house was not destroyed. His family was intact, all in safe condition.”
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