By Andrea Miles | Director of Development
Final Report - Storm Washi, Philippines
Storm Washi swept across the island of Mindanao between December 16 and 18. It caused massive flooding, flash floods and landslides and sadly, killed more than 1,200 people. Merlin responded by sending a small team to assess communities’ health needs and what damage had been done to health facilities. In the immediate aftermath sanitation and hygiene was a priority to stop the spread of disease.
Merlin formed a partnership with the largest national non-profit organisation, CFSI. Sixty local people were hired to help make up and distribute hygiene kits to 2,000 families in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
Kit Distribution Details
Baragay 24 95 kits delivered
Lapasan 33 kits delivered
Camaman-an 82 kits delivered
Patag 68 kits delivered
Poblacion 353 kits delivered over two sites
Carmen 66 kits delivered
Canituan 80 kits delivered
Bulua 463 kits delivered
Balulang 142 kits delivered
Balubal 118 kits delivered
Santiago 500 kits delivered
By mid January most of the affected families had been reallocated places to live. The main issues continue to be food and livelihoods, shelter and continued water and sanitation needs. Local health authorities are trying to work together, although there is still need to strengthen mental health services – many are still traumatised from the affects of the Storm.
What next?
Merlin will not be extending its activities in Mindanao, as there are now, very few unmet emergency medical needs from the Storm. The Merlin team will turn their attention back to a new reproductive health project in Manila.
In January 2012, Merlin began a 4 year progam to improve access to family planning methods for families living in urban slums. Targeting the poorest areas of Manila, this program will:
This programme is expected to impact 796,000 urban slum dwellers in Manila, including 230,000 potential mothers and 170,000 young people. For more information on this and other Merlin projects, please visit our website www.merlinusa.org
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