Super Typhoon Rai leaves widespread destruction in the Philippines

News | December 24, 2021

On 16 December, Super Typhoon Rai hit the Philippines affecting more than 1.8 million people and destroying homes and infrastructure across seven regions.

A family sits outside their house that was destryoed by the typhoon.

The typhoon has claimed at least 375 lives. Authorities are expecting the number of deaths to increase as search operations continue. To date, 56 people are missing and more than 600,000 people remain displaced, most of them staying in evacuation centres.

There is widespread destruction of homes, buildings, power, and communications.

CBM Global’s Humanitarian and Country Teams and our partners in the Philippines are working together to conduct an inclusive rapid needs assessment and deliver an emergency response inclusive of people with disabilities. We are ensuring that the most vulnerable are included in recovery efforts.

Immediate needs include:

Food
Drinking water
Access to water and sanitation services

Adva Rodogovsky, Senior Humanitarian Programmes Officer of CBM Global, says:

“Super Typhoon Rai, locally named Odette, hit the Philippines badly and left enormous damage, including damage to the homes of a couple of our staff colleagues. We are working quickly, together with our local partner organisation, and with the generosity of donors and supporters of CBM Global’s Members worldwide to roll out an emergency response in Caraga. The first phase of our response will comprise shock responsive multipurpose cash grants to some 700 households, mental health and psychosocial support and support in recovering assistive devices that may have been lost during evacuation. We’ll also engage in the wider humanitarian coordination system to ensure that the voice of organisations of persons with disabilities is heard and that agencies will consider inclusive processes in their emergency responses.”

Cherrie Oringo, Humanitarian Programme Officer of CBM Global Philippines, says:

“Many of the families who are affected by Super Typhoon Rai have been through so much – the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and then this devastating typhoon. We are working with our partner so that we can provide timely support to those who need it most and ensure that we do not leave anyone behind in this response.”

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