Philippines & Indonesia Disaster Response Update

CRWRC Newsroom | October 23, 2009

CRWRC is distributing $250,000 worth of medical supplies donated by its partner Medical Teams International (MTI) to typhoon survivors in the Philippines. Recent typhoons have created a medical emergency in the Philippines, where more than 130 people have died from leptospirosis, a bacterial infection caused by exposure to animal urine.

“All the water that these typhoons have left in their wake will take months to dry up,” says Jacqueline Koster, CRWRC disaster response program coordinator in Burlington, Ontario. “That causes a lot of issues with water and hygiene.”

Thousands of families are now exposed to waterborne diseases as the flood waters become polluted with garbage, human and animal waste, and drainage from sewers.

CRWRC will work with 10 doctors and 30 nurses in sub-mobile units to treat infections and prescribe antibiotics in and around Los Banos and Calamba, the flooded lakeshore cities around Lake Laguna, which rose 3.4 meters as a result of the typhoons. CRWRC International Relief Manager (IRM) Nancy Gustafson, a public health specialist from Mississippi is working alongisde Classis Luzon South of the Christian Reformed Church in Los Banos to identify additional medical personnel and to ensure medication is being delivered effectively.

While bacteria and waterborne disease is not a concern in Indonesia, the earthquake has destroyed homes and infrastructure leaving a shortage of water for thousands of people. CRWRC will provide tools for land clearing, hygiene kits, and kitchen sets with financial support from its local partner ZOA. CRWRC has also appealed to Action by Churches Together (ACT) for additional funds for medical services and increased access to clean water and sanitation.  Emergency supplies have already been distributed through CRWRC partners Totalitas and GKSBS in the Philippines.

CRWRC continues to respond to the multiple needs in Padang and will begin rebuilding houses using earthquake resistant building techniques as more money becomes available.

Please give to CRWRC's Philippines and Indonesia disaster response.  Donate online:  US | Canada