Storm Sendong (international code name: Washi) unleashed its fury in Mindanao in the early hours of December 16 while most people were sleeping. The death toll has reached 200, with close to 500 missing in the flashfloods caused by heavy rains. It’s a sad footnote to a tragic Christmas that will be observed in the affected areas this year, notably the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao region. Most of us who were living in Manila and enjoyed a sunny weather were unfortunately unaware of what went on and learned about this quite late in the day.
Mindanao hardly suffers from the disastrous effects of storms and floods. This probably made its residents and local governments complacent as families were not even evacuated to higher ground despite storm signals being raised.
Mostly it was unnerving to see pictures of dead children swept by overflowing rivers or thrown out to sea.
It would be good if we can say a prayer for the victims of the Mindanao flashfloods and the speedy recovery of the affected families. Appeals for donations will be made in the coming days…let us take time to help.
One of the groups to first make the call is the Iligan Bloggers Society.
They are accepting donations in kind for the victims of Typhoon Sendong. They encourage the following items for donations: canned goods, noodles, bath and laundry soaps, toothpaste, rice, used clothings, slippers, and cash donations.
SENDONG DONATION DROP
You can contact the following point persons for your donations and other inquiries.
ILIGAN BLOGGERS SOCIETY, Inc.
SITE: http//:iliganbloggers.com
EMAIL: iliganbloggers@gmail.com
FB Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/iliganbloggers
The tragedy we are facing right now should teach us that life on earth is really short.So we should learn to thank God.