Oxfam aid team witnesses scene of utter destruction in northern most tip of Cebu, Philippines

Immediate needs are water, food, medicines and shelter

An Oxfam team of aid experts assessing level of typhoon damage in Daanbantayan the northern-most tip of Cebu mainland said today that nearly all the houses and buildings were damaged, power lines down and no electricity in the entire municipality. The team spoke of seeing children begging for help, holding up signs that read, “Help. We need water, food and medicines.”

Roads to the area were hardly passable with trees and wreckage of houses lining the highway. 

Local officials said 98 per cent of the houses and structures in the municipality were damaged. This included the town hall and a cultural centre which had served as an evacuation centre but had itself had to be evacuated due to level of damage.

The town’s major told the team the people needed water for drinking, food, medicines and emergency shelter.

“The scene is one of utter devastation. There is no electricity in the entire area and no water. Local emergency food stocks have been distributed but stocks are dwindling. The immediate need is water, both for drinking and both for cleaning,” said Tata Abella-Bolo, a member Oxfam’s emergency team in Cebu.

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