SOUTH SECTOR’S RELIEF OPERATION IN CUPANG

After the devastation of Ondoy, the South Sector started mobilizing our members to gather clothes, beddings, food and other items we can give to the victims. Multiple drop-off points were established for delivery to the LNP center.

The combined districts of South A, D, E, F and G decided to concentrate its relief efforts on Cupang, Muntinlupa to have a greater impact. As seen from the picture below, the area is still flooded one (1) week after Ondoy. Only trucks, SUVs, Jeeps, and boats can access the area. There are over 1000 families that had to be relocated to three (3) evacuation sites in Cupang because their houses are no longer inhabitable. There are also thousands of families with partially submerged homes that also need help.

Cupang, Muntinlupa, one week after Ondoy.

After a brief survey of the requirements, and interviewing the evacuees, the relief goods that were in urgent need at that time were blankets, banigs, medicines, clothes, and food items.

Through the generosity of our members we were able to raise enough cash to buy the following:

1000 blankets
500 banigs
500 family medical kits
Assorted clothes
Assorted food items

Numerous donors also donated relief goods that were included in the bags.

The packing and sorting of the relief goods started on October 2 (Friday) and ended October 3 (Saturday). This was held at the Hampton Court Clubhouse of Hillsborough Village. There were more than 50 people who volunteered from our sector including our YAs, JYA, FOJs, Singles, and Parents.

YAs and JYAs joined to pack relief goods on Oct 2 and 3.

By 6PM on Friday, more than 1200 bags were packed and filled with relief goods. The YAs and the other children were a big help, and because of them the packing went very fast and allowed us to finish before dinner time. Three of our members even decided to celebrate their birthday while packing the goods, one even treated everyone for merienda.

50 happy, but tired brothers and sisters = 1200 bags packed!!

The distribution to Cupang happened the day after (Saturday, Oct 3). Two trucks from our members we not enough to carry all the relief goods, and 4 more closed vans were volunteered by the local barangay and city government to help carry the items.

"Called for such a time as this."

The distribution still went ahead even with the arrival of typhoon Pepeng, which luckily did not affect us as much as Ondoy. The distribution was more challenging than expected because there were so many people in the area that were affected. Over 30 members helped in the distribution, some YAs also joined. One of the members volunteered his coaster van to carry us all to the evacuation site.

After a few days, the head of relief operations in Cupang sent us a thank you letter and included these pictures of the kids using the banigs and blankets we gave. The smiles tell it all. It was tiring but very fulfilling for all those who got involved. The Lord used us to bring His blessings to the victims of Ondoy in Cupang.