Nightmare. That's probably one word to best describe the tragedy that struck down Cagayan De Oro and Iligan City, December last year. It has been more than a month and the typhoon victims are still trying to absorb the shock Sendong brought them.
WHAT DID HAPPEN
December 17, 2011: the dreaded day for our Mindanaoan brethren. Sendong came just "like a thief in the night", it surprised every one. Strong winds and heavy rains... and in a short span of time, it took away an awful number of lives.
Did it come without a warning? No.
Authorities admitted being warned days before the typhoon landed, but they took it as if it was just another rain that would pass and do no terrible harm. BUT THEY WERE WRONG. Well, who would've thought that this could equal -- if not surpass -- Ondoy?
And so it happened... at night... while the people were fast asleep... clueless of what unpleasant fate awaits them. Some woke up the next morning to witness the disaster and to save their lives. Some did not even made it the next day.
1,430 lives were taken away and families are left grieving. And up until now, people are still missing, and people are left with hopes of ever finding them again.
DAY 40
On January 27th, thousands of CDO and Iligan residents gathered to honor the memories of their loved ones whose lives were stolen from them. They lighted candles and exchanged stories. This marked the 40th day of their loss.
The president, Mr. Noynoy Aquino also came and joined the commemoration. He was there to see the resettlement site and also to show it to the people. He then met the officials of CDO and Iligan, and made some plans. When it was his turn to speak, the President talked about the plan of building a dam -- Sabo Dam -- in order to prevent this disastrous event from happening again.
The Filipinos are strong. We may still mourn until now, but, given time, we are sure we can still stand back up again.
SENDONG TOPS UN LIST
Meanwhile, it was also this day that UN released a statement that likens the Philippines' Sendong to major tsunamis like that which struck Japan. This was after UN's head for disaster risk reduction visited Mindanao and examined the damage Sendong left.
Then, with 33 major events, the Philippines tops UN's list of disaster league table for the year 2011. After the three-day visit from UN, and after meeting with DFA Secretary Del Rosario, UN discussed about what took place.
It is obvious that the major cause of the tragedy was the environmental problems present in the area. Illegal logging is one of the major factor contributing to what happened. They also discussed the need for cooperation between the government and the public.
However, UN has high hopes for the Philippines not only in our disaster risk reduction team, but more importantly, that we learn from Sendong.
STANDING UP AGAIN
Up until now, we would understand how hard it is for the victims to stand up again, to start all over again, and to move on. Right now, the leaders of CDO and Iligan are doing the best they could to help their people.They are doing it step-by-step. They have already provided relocation sites, and now they're planning reforestation.
You can still help. It's not too late. Even the smallest acts of kindness will strengthen them.
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