Typhoon Durian - Emergency Assistance

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance:
US$ 707,807

While still recovering from the destruction wrought by Typhoon Xangsane in October of this year, the country is again faced with devastation following super typhoon Durian. According to ACT member NCCP, this is the worst natural disaster in the Philippines since the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.

On 30 November, with sustained winds of 190 kmph and gusts of up to 225 kmph, super typhoon Durian caused immeasurable damage to six cities and 11 provinces of Region IV A and B and Region V. Particularly affected were Region IV (Southern Tagalog) and Region V (Bicol Region). The provinces of Batangas, Quezon, Mindoro Oriental and Marinduque in the Southern Tagalog Region and Camarines Sur in Bicol Region were badly hit.

The Bicol region has sustained the most casualties and the highest rate of total damages among the affected areas. Aside from damages caused by heavy rains and strong winds, the most devastating result of the typhoon are the unexpected and deadly mudflows which engulfed whole villages surrounding Mayon Volcano. This resulted from the heavy rainfall combined with tons of loose lava deposits from the recent eruption of Mount Mayon. Because the mudflows were unexpected and moved so swiftly many families were buried in the mud, while others who managed to escape had no time to secure any belongings.

ACT members Christian Aid (CA) (implementing through its local partners COPE and SAC) and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and its partners. NCCP have been sent rapid response advance funding of 50,000 USD. Members are already providing basic emergency relief items such as food packages, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, health and hygiene kits, etc. The crisis phase emergency relief will be followed by a post crisis phase with short term rehabilitation assistance including food-for-work, housing and livelihood support. It is expected that once the crisis phase of implementation is coming to an end, the appeal will be revised or the post-crisis phase, reflecting a clearer and more precise assessment of the rehabilitation needs on the ground, including around the issue of resettlement and housing.

Project Completion Date:

CA - 31 August 2007
NCCP - 30 November 2007

Reporting Schedule

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested:

Signed by:

Jessie Kgoroeadira
Acting Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office