Typhoon Odette — A Photo Series (Part 2)
If you haven’t read part 1. Link here
On December 25, 2021, the rock climbers of Tacloban decided to help out with the relief efforts in the south
We had summed up whatever we could, cash, food, water, and bring these to the victims
Drinking water was very scarce in the aftermath of the typhoon. We bought several cases of mineral water from Pepsi Cola as an alternative.
Tomas Oppus was our first stop. I had family here and had to make sure they were fine. We also left several cases of water and rice for sharing with the community.
Brgy. Pancil, an interior barangay was one of the hardest hit by Odette. With the help of our friend Patcha and her family, we were able to provide McDonald’s burgers and arroz caldo to the people in this area
This food drive was a temporary relief from the stress of being hit by a super typhoon, and living in the wake of its destruction. Something so little as a hot bowl of arroz caldo means so much to those forced to live in these conditions; we repeatedly heard how happy the people in Pancil were finally getting such sort of hot bowls in their stomachs.
Water was another priority. We had brought several dozen cases of bottled water in order to alleviate the rise in waterborne illnesses brought by drinking pump water.
We knew bottled waters weren’t for the long term, but water filters weren’t readily available days after Odette hit, hence this alternative.
There was a sole water refilling station in Malitbog, Southern Leyte working round the clock in order to provide clean, drinking water to the people. A generator set was powering the whole station.
But gasoline was scarce in this area, if ever there was availability, prices were skyhigh.
We had brought a couple of jugs of gasoline in order for this water station to work extended hours without the worry of consuming much gas.
Shelter was another priority for us. Tarpaulins were the most feasible form of shelter we could bring with us. These came in hundred meter rolls which we cut into 6m divisions and given to families with children and elderly.
Clearing was the last item on our list of priorities. With the number of debris to be cleared, we had work cut out for us.
This round of relief operations focused on the immediate needs of the victims — food, water, shelter. Refining it further, we focused on the children and the elderly since they were the most vulnerable.
I am truly grateful to the volunteers, my friends, who gave up their Christmas Day away from family in order to help out in the South.
Padayon.
