On December 16, one week before Christmas, Typhoon Sendong hit Mindanao and Southern Islands in the Visayas. Ten hours of terrential rain resulted in landlsides and flashfloods. As the area is uncommon to be hit by this kind of extreme weather the population in those areas were completely taken by surprise and utterly unprepared for the full vengeance of Sendong. As of today, the death toll of this tragedy has reached 1,500. Most of the casualties were asleep when raging floodwaters pounded their homes from rivers and cascaded from mountain slopes. A total of 5,151 persons have been reported injured while 737 are still missing. The typhoon has directly affected 308,053 persons (66,791 families). Upto this date many of the dislocated families live in temporary shelter.

To help out, a fundraising effort was started in the offices of our Principals Seatrade and Triton and on board the fleet. In total an amount of $8,265 was raised and this amount was doubled by Seatrade to $16,530. Some ships donated direct to the Philippine Red Cross.

Luckily no fatalities were reported among our Seafarers and their direct families. However five families were affected by Sendong and sustained damage to property or were dislocated. They all received support from the funds raised while the balance has been donated to the Sendong Relief Effort of the Philippine Red Cross.

Status upate from the Philippine Red Cross:

“Currently, there are more than 26,442 persons still living in evacuation centers, with 33,678 homes partially or totally damaged. PRC has maintained strict 24-hour monitoring of all situations in affected municipalities, with nearly 2,000 PRC staff and volunteers deployed in the field conducting detailed assessments along with relief operations, welfare and first aid services. To date, PRC has setup 27 welfare desks and provided psychosocial support to 4,967 persons and served hot meals to 6,156 persons. PRC has indulged in hygiene promotion activities for 7,630 persons and supplied 3,516,000 liters of water to the affected communities. PRC has provided food items for 123,325 persons, non-food items to 90,090 persons, and water to 87,900 families. 

On behalf of the staff and volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross, we extend our sincerest gratitude to SEATRADE GRONINGEN BV and all contributors for your generous donation. As we transition from the rescue and relief phases in the aftermath of TS Sendong, we enter the most crucial phase of rehabilitation of the ravaged communities. Your support will go a long way towards rebuilding the lives of those who have been most affected so that they can restore their lives to normalcy and once again live with dignity.

At PRC, we strive to ensure that help is readily available when the need arises. We assure you that your contribution has enhanced the commitment we have in providing humanitarian services to the most vulnerable. You inspire us to perform our sworn duty in alleviating the suffering of those in need. When the world no longer watches, we do what must be done.”

ANA BANDRIL

Philippine Red Cross

Officer-In-Charge, Director for the Fund Generation Department

“Sendong destroyed my families house and their source of income.Thanks to the support given they are now rebuilding and restoring the area for their source of income. So from me and my family we give you our warm thanks for the help and assistance that you have given to us”

2nd Officer Perez (recipient)

And for Sendong…. she will never return to the Philippines as the national weather Bureau (PAGASA) has decided to take the name Sendong off the register of typhoon names……