February 23, 2024
Tzu Chi Davao implemented relief efforts for flood affected communities in the Davao Region
By Tzu Chi Davao
A shearline, a weather phenomenon marked by strong winds and heavy rainfall, caused severe flooding in the Davao Region in the past few weeks. The disaster displaced thousands of families, who had to abandon their homes and find shelter elsewhere. The flooding also inflicted huge losses on the agriculture sector, as flooding covered hectares of rice fields.
Following the floods that hit several barangays in the municipalities of Carmen and Dujali, Tzu Chi Davao volunteers conducted an ocular survey on February 5, 2024. The aim of the survey was to assess the damage caused by the floods and to learn about the situation of the affected families. The two municipalities were among the most affected areas that remained flooded for several days, making their roads inaccessible.
Tzu Chi Davao Officer-In-Charge, Bro. Nelson V. Chua and Tzu Chi volunteers conducted an ocular survey in Braulio E. Dujali, a 4th-class municipality in Davao del Norte. They met with the Municipal Administrator, Mr. Joelito B. Juriana, MPA, and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, Ms. Angelina P. Taculin, RSW, who gave them an overview of the situation in their municipality. Some evacuation centers in their area were flooded, forcing the people to build temporary shelters on the streets. Their municipality is remote from the main road, which makes it difficult for them to access food supplies.
The Tzu Chi volunteers continued their ocular survey in the Municipality of Carmen and coordinated with the local officials. They were welcomed by Mr. Olympio G. Bagnol Jr., the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, who briefed them on the challenges faced by the affected residents. The municipal hall had been turned into an evacuation center due to the lack of other facilities.
The ocular survey revealed that the flood-affected communities were suffering from food and water shortages. Tzu Chi Davao volunteers quickly convened an emergency meeting that night to plan how to provide immediate assistance. The conducted ocular survey to several barangays in the aforementioned municipalities also showed that Barangay Magupising of Braulio E. Dujali was the least assisted among them. Barangay Magupising is composed of 11 puroks, and farming rice is the primary source of income for the community. Thus, they decided to prioritize this barangay for their relief operations.
On February 7, 2024, Tzu Chi Davao quickly mobilized a relief operation at Purok Ipil-ipil, Barangay Magupising, after only one day of preparation due to the urgency of the situation. Each family received 1 unit of Tzu Chi folding beds, a blanket, 20 kilos of rice, bath towels, 4 liters of drinking water, chocolate and cereal powder drinks, detergent and bath soaps, t-shirts for kids, slippers, a pail, and banana chip snacks.
The food pack distribution lasted for 5 hours, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. During the distribution, Sis. Mei Yuen Ang, the Deputy Officer-In-Charge of Tzu Chi Davao, gave a brief introduction to the Tzu Chi Foundation and its founder, Master Cheng Yen. She explained the core values and missions of the Foundation. She also emphasized the need to care for the environment by reducing waste and using eco-friendly products, and she encouraged the residents to adopt a plant-based diet for their health and well-being.
One of the beneficiaries was Mrs. Lolita Bukadon, a 50-year-old rice farmer and mother of three. She said that she had lived in the barangay for a long time and had never experienced such a devastating flood before. "We lost everything. We only managed to save a few clothes," she said. She expressed her gratitude despite the tragedy that befell her barangay. "My family is safe, and that is what matters most," she said. "We are also very thankful to the Tzu Chi Foundation for being the first and only organization to help our barangay. We never expected to receive so much from you," she added.
The Tzu Chi Foundation assisted 751 families who were affected by the flood. The residents of the 11 puroks of Barangay Magupising went home with a grateful heart.
The meeting between the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of Dujali, Ms. Angelina P. Taculin, RSW and the Tzu Chi Commissioners, Bro. Nelson Chua and Sis. Mei Yuen Ang, focused on the current challenges and needs of their Municipality.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Mr. Olympio G. Bagnol Jr., the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer of Carmen, shared his insights with Tzu Chi Commissioners on how the floods affected the economic activity in their municipality.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Stranded residents in Barangay Salvacion, Carmen, are still waiting for assistance from private organizations.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Tzu Chi Commissioner, Sis Michelle Hsu is interviewing some of the residents of barangay Salvacion of Carmen.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
The municipality of Dujali was grateful for the help that Tzu Chi provided to them.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
The Deputy Officer-In-Charge of Tzu Chi Davao, Sis. Mei Yuen Ang, shared with the recipients of the aid how they can help preserve the environment and adopt a vegetarian lifestyle.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Tzu Chi Commissioner, Sis. Zhang Yue Hong and Social Welfare Assistant, Ms. Arlene Mae Omboy, are releasing the relief assistance coupon to the beneficiaries.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Residents of Barangay Magupising are eagerly waiting to get their relief assistance coupon.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Residents of Barangay Magupising are eagerly waiting to get their relief assistance coupon.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
The first batch of beneficiary listens carefully to the history of Tzu Chi Foundation and Master Cheng Yen.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Tzu Chi Commissioner, Sis. Yanyan Guo carefully arranged the pails in a row.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Tzu Chi Commissioner, Sis. Michelle Hsu and the Social Welfare Officer, Mr. Tantoy, are assigned to crowd control.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
The Deputy Officer-In-Charge of Tzu Chi Davao, Sis. Mei Yuen Ang shared with the recipients of the aid how they can help preserve the environment and adopt a vegetarian lifestyle.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
The Deputy Officer-In-Charge of Tzu Chi Davao, Sis. Mei Yuen Ang, introduced to the recipient, who is Master Cheng Yen.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Tzu Chi Commissioner, Sis. Annie Shi carefully arranged the Tzu Chi blankets.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
The beneficiaries are patiently waiting for their turn.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
The beneficiary received a pail as a sign of her readiness to accept the goods.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
A volunteer is assisting in arranging the items for distribution.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
The social welfare officer, Mr. Tantoy, was assisting the beneficiaries.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
A beneficiary showed gratitude through a prayer.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
The relief operations began with a solemn prayer led by the Tzu Chi Commissioners.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
The sight of a bucket full of goods filled the beneficiary with joy.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Tzu Chi Commissioner, Bro. Nelson Chua demonstrates how Tzu Chi folding beds are set up.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Mrs. Bukadon showed her house after the aftermath of the floods.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】
Grateful for the assistance from the Tzu Chi Foundation, Mrs. Bukadon showed a bright smile as she accepted the goods from the foundation.【Photo by Tzu Chi Davao】