When authorities in government alerted communities to be affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (Nalgae), Mindanao areas specifically Maguindanao, Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato were caught unaware of the possible impact of Typhoon Paeng (Nalgae). Strong winds, rising water level and torrential rain severely hit these areas beginning the night of October 27 without let up until daylight of October 29 when STS Paeng (Nalgae) made five times landfalls in Catanduanes, Camarines, Marinduque and Quezon Provinces.

“Unexpected” as it was, STS Paeng was the most damaging and widespread disaster in provinces in Mindanao. A total of 574 barangays with 171,815 families (850,346 individuals) in 6 different regions in Mindanao were heavily affected. 61 deaths are recorder as of now from this island out of the 92 casualties reported nationwide.

In Maguindanao province, a village named Sitio Tinabon of Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS) Municipality was practically wiped out by rocks and mud and was declared ground zero by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) authorities. Datu Odin Sinsuat recorded 354 damaged houses with 16,348 families or 81,740 individuals now seeking refuge in different evacuation centers and houses of relatives. 23 confirmed deaths, 21 injured while 4 remain missing in this area.

Also on record high are the displaced and affected populations in the municipalities of Sultan Kudarat/Nuling with 26,977 families (134,889 individuals) and Upi with 8,619 families (43, 095 individuals). In neighboring province of North Cotabato, mostly affected are the municipalities of Pigcawayan with 6,545 families (32, 725 individuals) and Libungan with 3,293 families (16,465 individuals). In Cotabato City, where the regional seat of the BARMM government, all 37 barangays were reported affected by Typhoon Paeng with 67,596 families or 337,980 individuals.

Based on the Inter-agency Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, among the most needed emergency assistance expressed by the current conditions of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are food, clean water, cooking utensils, hygiene kits, blankets, sleeping mats, psychological first aid and psychosocial support for children and adult, medicines and vitamins and personal clothing. At this time, when evacuation centers are full and crowded, temporary shelters, plastic sheets, emergency lamps and public health facilities are urgently needed.

As a network of grassroots volunteers, MIHANDS through our South Central Mindanao Cluster members responded to this emergency situation a day after by serving warm soup (arroz caldo) to Typhoon Paeng survivors through our Kusina Bayanihan (community kitchen) initiative.

Despite being survivors themselves, our grassroots volunteers took out their cooking utensils, chopping tables and knives, saved vegetables and spices from non-devastated gardens and set-up Kusina Bayanihan in different affected areas in Cotabato City, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao, 3 stations in Lebak and 1 in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat Province. MIHANDs is very grateful for the contributions coming from member organizations, Community Pantry Philippines and individual supporters who believe in the spirit of Bayanihan (Solidarity). From 29 October to 3 November 2022, we were able to serve warm arroz caldo [rice and chicken gruel], tinola [chicken soup], ginataang monggo [mung beans and coconut milk], pakbet [mixed vegetables], sindol [sweet potato desert], and pastil [steamed rice wrapped in banana leaves] to 808 survivors.

MIHANDS also reactivates its teams for data gathering and validation, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), alternative health and relief distribution teams that closely coordinates with the Cluster-based Response system of the Mindanao Humanitarian Team and BARMM-Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (BARMM-READi).

More survivors and affected communities are still waiting for our help. MIHANDS volunteers can do more if we also have more means!

Thus, this Appeal for Emergency Support is out to those who wish to extend a compassionate heart through MIHANDS ongoing Kusina Bayanihan, MHPSS, Health and Relief Delivery Operations.

Be our partners! Donate in cash and in-kind!

Volunteering in MIHANDS is self-fulfilling and empowering!

4 November 2022

YENNAH F. TORRES
Chairperson -09171084190

DONATION CHANNELS:

CONTACTS us at:
No. 37 Tulingan Street, Usman Subdivision, Bagua 2, Cotabato City I Tel: +63 64 421 1369 No. 349 Ante Compound, Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City I Tel: +63 64 421 5024 Email: mihands.phils gmail.com

To send donations via ESSF

Mihands network is one of the main partner of Europe solidaire sans frontières in the Philippines and Asia.

We transfer all of the donations we receive to our partners. The activity of our association is entirely ensured by its members, none of whom are salaried in any way. We assume our own operating costs.

Donations can be given by cheques (in euros only, payable in France), by direct bank transfers to our account or via Helloasso and PayPal.

Cheques
cheques to ESSF in euros only, payable in France, to be sent to:
ESSF
2, rue Richard-Lenoir
93100 Montreuil
France

Bank Account:
Crédit lyonnais
Agence de la Croix-de-Chavaux (00525)
10 boulevard Chanzy
93100 Montreuil
France
ESSF, account number 445757C

International bank account details :
IBAN : FR85 3000 2005 2500 0044 5757 C12
BIC / SWIFT : CRLYFRPP
Account holder : ESSF

Through PayPal
You can send money through Paypal: contact europe-solidaire.org
https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=buQz5YbOnUzz5VqhmpkK8ODOlu9htTRJVvgcPQQ4hhX7FEO77Ga_XoDBivMuYbjfN4t0avVWu8BOr2cw

Through HelloAsso
You can also send money through the association HelloAsso: see its button on ESSF English home page: http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?page=sommaire&lang=en
Or go directly to:
https://www.helloasso.com/associations/europe-solidaire-sans-frontieres/formulaires/1/widget

We will keep you regularly informed via our website regarding the use of the solidarity fund.