In late October and early November of 2020, a series of powerful typhoons swept across Southeast Asia, causing widespread damage.
In the Philippines, four level-4 typhoons made landfall over four weeks. Super Typhoon Goni (known locally as Typhoon Rolly) devastated the Bicol Region, with more than half a million people displaced and 42 lives lost. The following week, Typhoon Vamco (known locally as Typhoon Ulysses) killed 67 and damaged 26,000 homes, making it the deadliest storm of the year. These storms triggered the worst floods seen in the northern part of the Philippines in over four decades.
Elsewhere in the region: In Vietnam, at least 25 lives were lost during Typhoon Molave, the strongest storm in decades. Heavy rainfall affected more than 30 provinces in Thailand leading to one of the worst floods in decades. In Cambodia, flash floods, strong winds, landslides, and high tides have compounded the COVID-19 crisis.
In these moments of crisis, Give2Asia immediately began supporting relief efforts in the affected communities, working with our trusted partners on the ground. Give2Asia raised $54,456 and granted three projects to partners conducting disaster recovery and preparedness work in the affected region. A special thank you to every generous donor who made this possible!
Grant Snapshots
Flood Recovery for Communities in Cambodia – Friends International
Flooding, combined with the global COVID-19 crisis, has impacted both urban and rural communities, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable populations. Friends International and its local partner Damnok Toek conducted a rapid needs assessment with flood victims and distributed essential relief to beneficiaries in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey province. These communities, many of whom were suffering severe income and livelihood losses from the ongoing effects of COVID-19, were now struggling to recover from the loss of their homes and belongings as well. This program supported a total of 42 families (approximately 84 adults and 84 children) in Poipet and the surrounding areas of Banteay Meanchey. 30 families experiencing homelessness received social outreach and basic emergency family support. A further 12 families received food and nutrition support for their infants and toddlers, and the provision of medical care. Hospital referrals were provided when needed as well as medication. Damnok Toek’s doctor will continue to conduct regular check-ups with these families to ensure their health and well-being.
House Reconstruction for Typhoon Affected Families – ActionAid Vietnam
From September to November 2020, Typhoons Noul, Linfa, Nangka, Saudel, Molave, and Goni hit Central Vietnam and Central Highland, sweeping away thousands of houses and schools, causing severe damage, and impacting the lives of 1.5 million people, including 753,000 women and girls, across ten provinces in Vietnam. By joining in the efforts to assist vulnerable communities that were most affected, ActionAid Vietnam (AAV) worked to create safe shelters and support post-disaster resettlement. With a grant of $14,000, the program has supported five impoverished households (approximately 30 people) living in flood-hit areas of Ca Dy commune, Nam Giang district, Quang Nam province, to reconstruct their houses.
Livelihood Assistance for Typhoon Affected Families in the Philippines – Caritas Manila
Through its disaster risk reduction management program, Caritas Manila coordinated with the Social Action Center to perform rapid damage and needs assessments in affected communities in order to understand typhoon impacts and needs of the affected populations. This effort was jointly undertaken by local parishes and Caritas Manila. The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao recommended three priority municipalities of Baggao, Amulung, and Penablanca, where severely impacted communities had yet received limited assistance. Caritas Manila distributed food and non-food aid to affected barangays (districts) throughout November and December.
With a grant of $ 30,456.35, Caritas Manila supported livelihood recovery efforts for 133 affected families in Penablanca. Corn production and backyard animal raising are the primary sources of livelihood for these communities which have suffered severe agricultural production losses due to flooding incidents in the past cropping season. This program provided support in the form of direct payments to purchase farming and animal husbandry materials, helping families to re-establish their livelihood activities. In addition, Caritas Manila provided training and technical support to ensure the sustainability of livelihood activities for the communities supported. These communities have also established a self-help group and continued expanding financial/livelihood access.
Charting a Path Forward
To date, Southeast Asia remains the highest-risk region in Asia, where disasters could affect millions living in high-risk areas. Climate-related disasters increasingly threaten the archipelagic areas, and continuous preparedness work in this region remains a priority for disaster-related work.
Through our pre-positioned disaster response network DisasterLink, Give2Asia is partnering with trusted local charities in high-risk countries that are well-positioned to respond rapidly and provide long-term recovery. Learn more about DisasterLink here.
