Recent Flooding in Philippines: Update from CCT

As many of you may be aware, the Philippines experienced severe flooding a few days ago as a result of Typhoon Ondoy. CNN has reported the story here.

Kiva has 8 active Field Partners in the Philippines, two of which have headquarters in Manila, which was severely affected by the flooding. These two Field Partners are Center for Community Transformation Credit Cooperative (CCT) and Ahon sa Hirap, Inc. (ASHI). Obviously we are greatly concerned for the wellbeing of the staff of our Field Partner, the entrepreneurs they have been serving and the millions of Filipinos in the area.

So far, we have received the following communication from CCT:

"September 28, 2009

Dear Ministry Partners & Supporters,

It is a critical time for many Filipinos who have been affected by the strong rains and flooding brought about by the storm Ondoy. According to our local government weather station, the total amount of rainfall which poured in about 12 hours during the peak of the typhoon was equivalent to a month’s amount of rainfall. Cities and municipalities were submerged in floodwaters. This resulted to the declaration of a state of calamity in twenty-five provinces including the National Capital Region, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, and Pangasinan –areas where many of our staff and our community partners reside.

Many of our staff and community partners have been affected. We are currently determining the extent of the damage. As of today, 18 of our staff and their families have houses that were flooded and their belongings damaged; several of them are now in evacuation centers. While 1,703 of our community partners/beneficiaries were severely affected, with houses and livelihoods damaged by the flooding.

As of September 27 (Sunday), we have provided food and clothing to 780 families of CCT’s community partners. We have also provided food and shelter to 250 street dwellers. CCT’s branch offices, especially in Rizal and Laguna are now being used as temporary shelters for some of the community partners.

Our relief operations is ongoing. We would appreciate immediate assistance. We currently need donations for food like rice, canned goods, noodles, coffee, water, candles and match. We also need blankets, clothing, and medicines. Our community partners also need assistance in rebuilding their destroyed houses.

Thank you so much for your concern and assistance!

May the Lord Jesus continue to bless you abundantly!

In His Service,

Ruth

Ruth S. Callanta
President"

We will be sure to keep you updated as we hear more from our Field Partners.