World Vision staff witness the wrath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine; World Vision’s initial relief response on the way

By Katrina Hallare | Field and Emergency Communications Specialist

Some staff in World Vision-assisted areas witnessed the wide devastation of severe Tropical Storm Kristine (International name: Trami), as nonstop rains quickly flooded the communities.

“The situation is devastating. There are still areas that are flooded and have no electricity. Connectivity and road access are still challenging, as some roads are risky due to fallen trees and landslides,” said Rey Montimor, World Vision Program Manager in the Bicol region.  

He added, “The affected families urgently need food and non-food items. Their livelihood is also affected as agricultural products are damaged, and the fishermen cannot go fishing. Their boats were ruined.”

“Let’s pray that the rains will stop and the flooding subsides so that the children and their families can return to their houses safely.,” added Montimor.

As of Thursday, October 24, data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council showed that thousands of families in four World Vision APs in the Bicol region, namely Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur, were greatly affected by the tropical storm.

In Albay, 637 families or 3,185 individuals were affected; in Sorsogon, 732 families or 2,455 individuals; in Camarines Norte, 463 families or 1,530 individuals were affected; and in Camarines Sur, a massive 8,873 families or 57,540 individuals were affected.

All mentioned provinces are currently under a state of calamity as declared by their local government and are classified under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). 

“I was supposed to check on our partners’ farms, but there was lightning, and the strong winds prevented me from doing so,” says Michael Macabasag, World Vision Program Officer for Batangas. He shared he could not withstand the storm’s strong winds. 

“Unfortunately, a chicken farm from a neighbor here got struck by a tree,” he added. “The roof of the home of our community volunteer got blown off by the storm. Power lines also got cut,” he said.

In Visayas, Careen Sampil, Program Manager for AP Negros Occidental, shared that the storm also brought strong winds to the area.

“Classes are already suspended here in the community. I’m using mobile data to communicate, but it’s been a struggle here, too,” she said. 

Meanwhile, World Vision’s initial relief response is on its way to the Bicol region.

“World Vision’s prepositioned goods, such as non-food items and hygiene kits, are now going to the Bicol region to help the affected children and their families,” says World Vision Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Manager Kristin Roxas. 

World Vision area programme staff have been in Sorsogon, Albay, and Camarines provinces since Wednesday. October 23, assessing the situation and coordinating with partners and local government units. 

Additional staff from the National Office will also be deployed in the field tomorrow to help with the ongoing assessment in the region.

According to Pagasa’s 2 p.m. weather update as of October 24, “Kristine” was last spotted over the coastal waters of Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur. Near the center, maximum sustained winds were 95 kilometers per hour (kph), and gustiness reached up to 115 kph. 

“Kristine” made landfall over Divilacan, Isabela, at 5 a.m. on October 24. Due to the storm, the national government suspended classes at all levels and government work for that day.