Super Typhoon Rai (local name Odette) crossed the Philippines and made its first landfall on 16 December 2021 in the coastal city of Siargo with subsequent landings in eight other areas in the Mindanao and Visayas region of the Philippines. On 21 December 2021, the Philippine government declared a state of calamity for one year.
According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Bohol, the storm devastated about ‘95 per cent’ of fish cages and ponds and other fishing facilities across the province.
In Sipalay, Negros, the tourism and fishing sector was severely affected and is estimated to have lost more than 350 million Philippine peso.
With this situation, added to the impact of COVID-19, many fishermen and farmers lost their livelihood.
Camillian Task Force Philippines has started to provide special assistance to identified families in Bohol and Sipalay through appropriate screening with a long-term intervention to help these communities build community resilience in times of disaster, in collaboration with local partners: Society of Ex-Camillian Seminarians Inc. in Bohol and Camillian Task Force Negros Unit in Negros Occidental.
The aim of the project is to provide relief assistance and an initial recovery response to the most affected areas of Bohol and Negros Occidental, located in inland and coastal areas.
The parishes of Our Lady of Fatima (Calape), St John of the Cross (Tubigon), Sto. Nino Parish (Ubay), St Francis Parish (Sipalay) will be the base areas. The number of families that will receive livelihood assistance in Bohol and Negros is over 111 beneficiaries. Rehabilitation and restoration of schools will also be provided to the areas of Brgy Inanuran, Tubigon, Bohol (an island barangay, 100% of the houses are totally damaged).
Relief operation in BOHOL
A. Provision of water to some members of the Society of Former Camillian Seminarians, made through the efforts of Lawyer Florendo Columnas and the support of the Camillian Philatelic Office in December 2021.
B. Provision of food packages and hygiene kits
December-January 2022: CTF Philippines in collaboration with volunteers from Ubay, Bohol and the Ex-Camillians distributed food packages and hygiene kits to more than 265 families in Brgy. Calanggaman and Brgy Tapon, Ubay Bohol, with the support of CPHDO.
January 2022: Delivery of relief goods and solar lights in Inanuran Island, Matabao Tubigon Bohol.
C. Provision of shelter materials
January-March 2022: Camillian Task Force Philippines (CTF) provided shelter materials to Camillian Religious Fr. Ruben Mandin, MI and family to repair their shelter. CTF Philippines in collaboration with the Society of Former Camillian Seminarians Inc. Bohol (SECSI) and St. John of the Cross Parish, Cahayag, Tubigon with Rev. Fr. Roy Reambonanza as a pastor led a Shelter Mission for Odette survivors on the island of Inanoran, Tubigon, Bohol.
D. Providing solar lamps to families
January-February 2022: More than a month after Typhoon Odette, homes in Bohol are still in the dark because there is still no electricity and so is communication.
In response, the CTF in collaboration with SECSI Bohol, provided: more than 450 solar lamps to households in Tubigon, Calape, Tagbilaran and San Miguel by SECSI and more than 300 solar lamps to households identified in Alta Cabacnitan Batuan, Quezon, Batuan, Salvador, Sierra Bullones, San Agustin, Sierra Bullones through the efforts of SECSI in collaboration with Batuan school volunteers.
Relief operation in NEGROS
A. Provision of food parcels and hygiene kits accompanied by medical, mental health, psychospiritual and COVID19 vaccination services:
February-March 2022: Through the efforts of the Camillian Task Force Negros Unit (led by former Camillian schoolboy Lucky Degillo), in collaboration with the Diocese of Kabankalan, Sipalay-LGU, DOH and other partners - the Camillian-inspired mission was served to families affected by Typhoon Odette in Sipalay, Negros Occidental.
Medical services: 548 patients
Mental/PFA/PSS services including referrals: 47 children/ 32 adolescents
COVID-19 vaccination: 552 first dose/ 439 second dose
Food packages and hygiene kits: 1,050 families
B. Provision of shelter material
December-January 2022: CTF Philippines provided shelter materials to Camillian Scholastic Bro. Vengie Ibanez, MI and family located in Negros.
Recovery phase
BOHOL
1. Inanuran, Tubigon, Bohol: Through the efforts and collaborative efforts of CTF PH, SECSI and St. John of the Cross Parish, the repair and replacement of boats (livelihoods) is underway, supported by the Camillian Foundation of Taiwan. 10 pump boat replacements and 8 pump boat repairs.
2. Tapon, Ubay Bohol: in cooperation with the Yellow Boat Foundation, boats are being provided to more than 15 families.
WESTERN NEGROS
1. Sipalay and Kabankalan, Negros Occidental: mental health and psychosocial interventions and activities began in collaboration with the psychology department of Kabankalan Catholic College. This is a one-year project that started in March 2022.
2. Livelihoods in Negros Occidental: Mapping of households in the target community will be done before Holy Week in April 2022.