On September 25, 2022, powerful Typhoon Noru or known locally as Karding, packing a maximum sustained winds of 195 kph and gustiness of up to 240 kph, caused major damages to various communities in seven regions affecting 366,483 families or more than 1.3 million persons. Heavy rain and violent winds inundated farm lands, massive flooding submerged various towns, storm surges ravaged through low-lying and coastal areas, while some mountainous areas were further isolated. A total of 44 cities/municipalities were declared under the State of Calamity.
Although flooding in most affected areas have subsided, significant damage to infrastructures was recorded. Government reports indicate at least 101,251 houses were partially or totally destroyed, while damage to infrastructure such as school buildings and roads is estimated to reach Php 304 million. Classes and work were suspended in at least 700 cities/municipalities.
Initial assessment findings from the UN OCHA Philippines state that immediate priority needs include food, temporary shelter, agricultural inputs, water and hygiene kits, livelihood/cash for work as well as protection services. Health and psychosocial services were likewise critical for the affected communities. Food security, livelihood recovery, some health services and access to safer WASH is expected to be challenging for the next few weeks until the coming months.
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines will respond to the crisis through ACT’s Rapid Response Fund.
