Victims Beg For Food After Philippine Typhoon

[DeSwiss]

Source: 7News Yahoo AU (AFP)

December 10, 2012, 12:11 am

NEW BATAAN, Philippines - Desperate families begged for food Sunday, days after a typhoon brought death and destruction to parts of a southern Philippine island, as the storm returned to the north of the country. Northern areas escaped with heavy rain after the storm weakened. But scenes of hardship were everywhere in southern areas that last week felt the full fury of the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year.

Officials said 548 people are confirmed dead, most of them in the southern island of Mindanao. Civil defence chief Benito Ramos said the number of missing had shot up to 827 from previous figures of 500 unaccounted for, after reports of more missing fishermen came in.

In the Mindanao mountain town of New Bataan, which took the brunt of Typhoon Bopha, families lined the roads holding signs begging for food. "Have mercy on us, please donate," read one sign held by a group of ragged children. "We need food," read another sign displayed by a group standing amid ruined banana plantations.

Farmer's wife Madeline Blanco, 36, said her family was trying to make do while sheltering in a tent on a basketball court. "We were given rations but it was not enough. Just rice, bread and noodles. It is not enough for me and my four children," she told AFP.

Read more: http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/world/15588437/storm-bopha-returns-to-philippines/

[Diyames]

1. Salamat - Thank you again for this update

I can't believe there has been so little media coverage of this story. I'm not connected to any social media but apparently I'm going to need to. I'm working hard to put together my new website so I can try to get the message out that people need help.

I hope DU will take an interest in this. The Philippines is supposedly a strategic ally of the US, but maybe we ignore them because they are so poor. It makes me so angry. Our country doesnt seem to care. That is why I'm trying to do something on my own.

The Children there are so amazing. Since the first time I visited the RP I wanted to do something to help the street kids who beg for money or food at every intersection. They get more creative all the time. On my last visit, at a red light just leaving the Mactan airport, there was a knock at my taxi window. A boy had his little friend in a headlock and was holding a toy gun to his head and the little kid had his hand out. I laughed so hard as I struggled to grab some coins from my pocket before the light turned green. Every time i eat out, I take a doggie bag to give to kids or even the old ladies who approach with hands out, begging.

Witnessing the poverty first hand is a life changing experience. I am unemployed here in the US, but compared to the good people of the Philippines, I'm doing fine. I want to help them so much and I think others might too if they only knew. Our good President says we will be more focused on SE Asia in the 21st century, but it seems the focus so far is on military strategy and not humanitarian.

[babydollhead]

2. welcome to DU!

thank you for your perspective and your voice. it is one thing that makes social media so good, reaching out to a lot of people and also finding groups that are strongly convicted to ideas and causes and already has the machinery in place to affect real help. you are right.

[kelliekat44]

3. After our history with the Philippines, one would think that the need for food would be a small

thing that we could do. I just don't see what is keeping us from major aid donations to these people.

[Uncle Joe]

5. There must not be any "cliffs" in the Philippines

or else our corporate media would be all over it.

I was in Subic Bay for about 3 months in the 70s when Marcos was in power.

The Philippines is a beautiful nation, I loved the people and they deserve better.

[enlightenment]

6. Though I do not disagree in principle,

the US and other nations are not ignoring this disaster. Within hours of the typhoon, the US offered $100,000 US and has pledged an additional 3 million in aid.

The UN is seeking to raise $65 million in aid. People do care.

http://leadership.ng/nga/articles/42165/2012/12/10/philippine_typhoon_victims_receive_international_aid_647_dead.html

[cordelia]

4. Quick K and R

Have to run but have bookemarked this for later.