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Canada rushes aid for Labuyo storm victims in Central Luzon
Canada is contributing $30,000 to boost relief operations for Filipinos affected by Tropical Cyclone Labuyo (Utor), particularly those based in Central Luzon.
In a post on its Twitter account, the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines said the contribution is made through the Canadian Red Cross Society.
“Under this operation, PRC will deliver sleeping materials (blankets and sleeping mats), jerry cans and hygiene kits to 1,500 families, provide unconditional cash grants to 1,500 families to enable them obtain their own choice of food items and meet other subsistence needs, and deliver shelter repair assistance to 500 most vulnerable families,” the embassy said on its Twitter account.
“Canadians are concerned about the health and well-being of the residents of Central Luzon in the aftermath of Typhoon Labuyo,” said Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines Christopher Thornley.
The assistance will support the Philippine Red Cross’ efforts to assist some 1,500 households or 7,500 people for four-and-a-half months, it added.
For its part, the Red Cross will also undertake disease prevention, health and hygiene education for families that will receive relief and shelter repair assistance.
With the contribution, Thornley said Canada hopes to “support the recovery and rehabilitation of effected communities.”
Labuyo left at least 11 dead and three missing, and left million in damage.
It followed tropical storm Maring which impacted 2.8 million people and killed over 22.
Both weather disturbances caused P2.6-billion damage to the farm sector, the Department of Agriculture reported on August 21.
Labuyo and Maring battered Metro Manila and surrounding provinces in Luzon, forcing government offices and private establishments to close for days. Maring, which enhanced the southwest monsoon, brought heavy floods in many affected areas. Several local governments declared a state of calamity.
The Philippines expects another 15 typhoons this year.
“Each year, about 20 tropical cyclones enter our country,” said Rene Paciente, chief of the weather forecasting and warming system of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Fortunately, only 6 to 9 of these tropical cyclones make landfall. In the Filipino dialect, tropical cyclones are called “bagyo,” a word which came after a 1911 storm in the city of Baguio, which had a record rainfall of 46 inches within a 24-hour period.
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