Monday, September 28, 2009

Tragedy

On Saturday, Tropical Storm Ondoy or Ketsana (depending on where you are) came through the heart of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. In the span of 12 hours 16.7 inches of rain fell. That is well over an month’s worth of rain. This flash flooding was actually never even a typhoon but because of the monsoon seasonal rains we are already experiencing this time of year, the slow moving nature of this tropical storm caused the worse flooding the Philippines has had in 40 years.
They estimate that close to 200 people have died and almost half a million are displaced due to the flooding and devastation. So many that had so little to begin with have literally lost everything. We feel so grateful that we are safe. Grateful that none of our household staff and their families were in areas that were hit hard. I can't even begin to imagine the work and rebuilding that will have to be done as the flood waters clear. As we went to the grocery store today to buy supplies to donate it was heartwarming to see almost everyone in the store doing the same as they bought cases and cases of needed food and supplies. If anyone is interested in donating to the relief effort, we are involved in many expat organizations that are helping charities in need and can make sure your money gets to where it is needed most. Just contact us. Below are some photos of the devastation. So hard to believe that some of the hardest hit are less than 8 miles from our house.




































3 comments:

Jocelyn said...

Miss, This just makes my heart ache. I am so glad to know you are all safe and those you're close to are, as well. But as you implied, it's tragic that those who have the least are often hit the hardest. My thoughts and prayers are there with them.

Alysia Cook said...

Thank Heaven you and your family are safe! This is so sad, I just saw a picture on the web of a guy covered in mud and he looks devastated, it breaks my heart. Good luck with your humanitarian efforts and I would love to make a donation. Let me know how I should go about doing that.

The Homer House said...

That makes me so sad to see those but so very relieved you are okay. Those people, like you said who have so little lost it all, I can't even imagine. Heartbreaking! You are wonderful to help those poor people who are your neighbors.
Love you guys!