Storm Ketsana (September 2009) & the Christian Reformed Churchs Response Christian Reformed World Missions

Tropical Storm Ketsana significantly affected the Philippines and Metro Manila on Saturday, September 26, 2009.

Up to 80% of Manila was flooded, in the worst flood in 40 years.

With great amount of rain, Laguna de Bay overflowed substantially, causing extensive flooding in lakefront areas.

Severely affected areas in METRO MANILA, RIZAL and SOUTHERN LUZON LEGEND LAGUNA DE BAY

PASIG RIVER BODIES OF WATER NEAR AFFECTED AREAS MARIKINA RIVER MANILA BAY LAGUNA DE BAY

Laguna Lakefront Cluster Photo taken on August 21, 2009 BEFORE KETSANA

LAGUNA LAKE water level higher by 4 meters in Bay August 21, 2009 After Ketsana Sept 29, 2009

Situation Report Oct 1, 2009 Bay - 5 villages affected 1,593 families & 6,396 individuals Calamba - 24 villages affected 4,598 families & 22,015 individuals Los Banos - 5 villages affected 5,256 families & 26,280 individuals Sta Cruz - 13 villages affected 12,348 families & 64,180 individuals

In total, 64, 000 people were affected.

Older residents say this is comparable to floods of 1972.

Residents were forced to leave their homes and stay with relatives elsewhere September 28, 2009 Barangay San Antonio, Bay, Laguna

With little personal belongings left, they sought shelter September 28, 2009 Barangay San Antonio, Bay, Laguna

Galvez National High School is serving as an evacuation center for 100 families

Families are living inside classrooms

In the absence of cribs and beds, donated carton boxes and blankets serve as childrens sleeping mats to cushion them from the cold floor. September 28, 2009 Bay National High School

Yet, some residents refused to leave their homes Malinta, Los Banos – A fishing family and member of Los Banos CRC stay in their house even when most neighbors have left the dangerously flooded area San Antonio, Bay – A man whose family is already safe in an evacuation center stays in his own makeshift bench to guard his house and property

In these, and other areas, children are at high risk for water-borne diseases and respiratory illness

Our immediate response was food relief to severely affected families Pasig-Marikina Cluster families Laguna Lakefront Cluster families

Bread From Heaven (Classis Metro Manila North Christian Reformed Churches) Donations poured in keeping deacons and volunteers busy September 28, 2009

Bread From Heaven (Pasig CRC) Volunteers felt more enriched than others they served says Dr. Bernardino September 28, 2009 Ready to deliver relief in Pasig and Cainta

Disaster Response Unit: Los Banos CRC Classis Southern Luzon Disaster Response Team Meeting - Assessment September 28, 2009

Water level in the severely affected low lakefront areas is projected to take 3 months to recede. – Laguna Lake Development Authority

Life must go on. Mother and daughter brave the water to buy food

A man rescues his pig and seeks shelter for it. September 28, 2009 Barangay San Antonio, Bay, Laguna

Another family attempts to save their vehicle September 28, 2009 Barangay Santasintisima, Sta Cruz, Laguna

A woman harvests kang kong (water spinach) September 28, 2009 Barangay Santasintisima, Sta Cruz, Laguna

And in the town market, business continues thanks to creative shop keepers.

The Christian Reformed Church is blessed to be able to respond in love to this time of crisis…

our goal is to provide services in ways that respect and enhance the image of God in those who suffer.

Christian Reformed World Missions Thank You For Your Ongoing Support & Prayers.