Successful Relief Distribution in Northern Cebu

14 November 2013 -

World Vision completed a well-organised and calm distribution of food and hygiene kits in northern Cebu today, benefitting nearly 4,000 people.

Four trucks hauled the 25 tonnes of supplies into remote villages in the hills of Tabugon Municipality, five hours north of Cebu City. 

The distribution food kits include 15kg of rice, 1 kg mung beans, 10 cans of sardines, 2.5kg of biscuits, 1liter of cooking oil and water, which will feed a family for one week. Families also received a hygiene kit which contains toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary items, hand towels, razors, bath soap, laundry soap, underwear, and nail clippers.

A village health worker helping out at the relief distribution expressed thanks to World Vision for today's relief packs, "This will help us get on our feet."

Cecil LaGuardia, Emergency Specialist for World Vision, said: "The distribution was a success and families now have enough food, but it's just the start. There are more communities on the island who have been terribly affected and are in desperate need.

"The community has shown incredible resilience and patience, particularly as many roads have been impassable and it has taken time to get this aid though to those who need it most." 

The villages had already been attended by a World Vision assessment team who determined that the area had been badly hit by Typhoon Haiyan, and that residents had suffered further because of existing levels of poverty. 

"Today World Vision distributed food, water, and sanitation supplies to families in northern Cebu. It was the first aid this community has been given since the Typhoon hit six days ago. It was a day of joy and relief for these families. The gratitude of thousands of people who World Vision helped today was immense. The BBC, who were there filming, told us it was the first good news story since the Typhoon hit. Lives were saved today," said World VIsion New Zealand CEO Chris Clarke of the distribution.

More distributions are planned in the coming days. The immediate need is food and water, followed by emergency accommodation. 

World Vision aims to reach 400,000 people in its relief effort. The agency has been working in the Philippines for 55 years and has 500 staff in the country.