The islands in Central Philippines was hit by the strongest typhoon in recorded history just before sunrise Friday local time. Super typhoon Haiyan ravaged the islands with winds reaching 195mph and gusts over 235 mph, displacing around 700,000 people and killing thousands. As of writing, the national government is struggling to address the need for food, water, and medical aid of its affected citizens. While relief efforts and clearing operations are in full swing, help from more than 30 nations and organizations are coming in but the situation remains quite desperate. Dead bodies are everywhere, families have not eaten for days, and children have no choice but to drink dirty water just to survive.
In the city of Tacloban, for example, the only airport was heavily damaged and just resumed operations to pave the way for arrival of military planes and choppers for relief operations. The roads to the city of 220,000 people are being cleared so supplies can be delivered via land transport. The city has been the hub of relief operations for the island of Leyte with its coastal towns wiped out the storm surge roughly two-storeys high and most of its residents now homeless.
The island of Leyte is not just the affected area though. Nearby islands of Samar and Iloilo were also heavily damaged. For these islands, communication facilities were down for a few days with major telco providers just starting to repair their networks over the weekend.
Countries such as the United States, Britain, and Japan have pledged help and sent troops and equipment to assist the victims. Even Pope Francis released $150,000 in donation and asked the faithfuls to help through concrete means.
The islands, generally used to 20 typhoons a year on average, also seem to be united in rising from such a disaster. Media outlets, local units of the Red Cross, various organizations have raised millions of donations and tons of relief goods to help their fellowmen affected by the worst natural disaster in the country's history. Facebook and Twitter have also been flooded with calls for help, messages of thanks to other nations, and support for the affected islands.
"In the aftermath of supertyphoon Haiyan (Yolanda) there are many reasons to grieve. Over the past few days, however, the Filipino people have seen many reasons to be grateful as well. Filipinos at home and abroad have, once more, come together to render aid and assistance to hard-hit areas," said Philippine President Benigno Aquino III through a statement.
"I also reiterate my gratitude to every Filipino who has extended help to his countrymen in their time of need. The companies who have offered their services for free or at a great discount, the groups and institutions who have mobilized their members for relief drives, individuals who have volunteered time, knowledge, and resources," he added.
The number of deaths is not yet clear. As of writing, it breaches the 2,000 mark but an earlier estimate was pegged at 10,000.
The Filipino people has one description of the natural disaster - "worse than hell."
