Children and families evacuate as Typhoon Carina batters Luzon

By Katrina Hallare | Field and Emergency Communications Specialist

The combined effects of Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi), the southwest monsoon, and the former tropical depression Butchoy have brought nonstop rains and rising floods, affecting about 183,464 families, consisting of 882,861 persons across the country, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) this Wednesday, July 24.  

World Vision Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Ligaya Munez said, “We are coordinating and consulting with assisted communities, different agencies and organizations, and the government to understand the impacts of Carina-enhanced monsoon better and appropriately assist children and families.” 

Rains brought by Carina, along with the enhanced southwest monsoon or “Habagat,” brought widespread floods and rising waters, damaging homes and other infrastructure and making roads impassable in most parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.  

“The floods reached the ceiling of houses, so the people got stuck on their roofs. One of the families I know, their home collapsed,” said World Vision community volunteer Sierra Aytona.

She added, “They have been waiting to be rescued for several hours.”


   
Meanwhile, Carina’s wrath also affected several families’ homes in Batangas, a province south of Manila. 

 
“Strong winds blew away the roofs of the homes of some families in our served communities. Their kitchen collapsed, while another’s house was brought to the ground by a collapsed tree,” said Jessica Relloso,  World Vision Program Officer for Batangas. 

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Carina has strengthened into a super typhoon, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness.  

Metro Manila and the province of Batangas have already been declared under a state of calamity. Government officials have suspended classes in public and private schools and government work. The rains also forced the evacuation of thousands of families in affected areas, including those where World Vision works. 

“So far, the evacuation centers are now packed as families continue to evacuate to safety,” said Abigail Bayucan, World Vision Program Manager for Manila and Quezon City. 
 
“Based on information from the ground, the evacuees need clean water, food packs, and non-food items such as tents and blankets,” Bayucan added.  


 
World Vision serves 10 areas in Luzon, including Manila, Malabon, Quezon City, and Batangas.  


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