Kagay-anon International of Southern California (KISC) initiates a donation drive in Southern California in response to Tropical Storm Washi (local name Bagyong Sendong), the worst Tropical Storm in history to hit Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao and surrounding provinces. This drive was in coordination with Art Laya of UCCi Mindanao Express, who will be shipping the goods to CdO free of charge.
The Philippines’ Cagayan de Oro City, also known as the “City of Golden Friendship,” is considered to be the Gateway to Northern Mindanao (Region 10). This region has the largest economy in Mindanao and is only exceeded by the National Capital Region (NCR) as the region with the most economic accomplishments in the country.
Unfortunately, the coastal areas of Northern Mindanao and surrounding provinces was battered by Bagyong Sendong late at night on Friday, December 16th, triggering massive flash floods that caused catastrophic destruction. The huge toll has already exceeded the damage of Typhoon Ketsana (local name Bagyong Ondoy) that had flooded Manila in 2009. As of the most recent updates from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC):
- At least 1,257 people are dead in Northern Mindanao and in 13 other nearby provinces.
- An estimated 113,411 families / 720,860persons have been affected by Washi
- An estimated 85persons still missing and unaccounted for.
- Some 20,000 soldiers embarked on search-and-rescue operations, the military said.
Most of the casualties were caught asleep on their beds when raging flash floods tore everything in their path following heavy rains that dumped in more than a month’s worth of rainwater in about 12 hours.
Due to the kindness and generosity of the first batch of Southern California donors, KISC, the first international organization established outside the Philippines by and for the sons and daughters of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental, was able to collect, sort, & pack 10 balikbayan boxes in just 3 hours on Sunday, December 18th! UCCi Mindanao Express will be shipping the first batch of 20 boxes for free on Tuesday, December 20th.
To donate in cash or in kind (clothing, towels, blankets, underwear, canned goods, bottled water, etc.), please read the posts below.
