Over a month after Typhoon Odette (international code name Rai) hit and caused massive destruction in the Visayas region, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) has been working closely with the affected communities to alleviate its disastrous effects.
To know the actual situation on the ground, RAFI deployed teams to conduct quick assessment and validation and has been implementing a phased approach to its humanitarian relief operation plans to help those affected by the strongest storm to hit the country late last year.
In the first stage of its initiative, the “Emergency Relief Phase”, the foundation lent 34 generator sets to water refilling stations, distributed 279,580 liters of water, and provided 143,866 relief packs to thousands of families in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Occidental, and Southern Leyte. Also, it conducted psychosocial programs to help the young survivors cope with trauma sustained during the ordeal.
Next month, RAFI will transition its efforts towards the recovery and rehabilitation phases with the support of its partners from individuals to private corporations, government agencies and international nongovernment organizations.
To date, the foundation has raised P37 million in cash and pledges from individual donors and organizations, and has spent P84 million for its emergency relief operations. Its counterpart has so far ran at P46 million.
RAFI continues to accept donations and partnerships from the community. Its Donation Hub is open for donations and support from local and international organizations, as well as individual donors. Donations will be used for the provision of immediate relief for affected families and communities.