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For all my blog readers, my country needs your
help.
"On Saturday, Typhoon Ketsana hit the Philippines, causing the worst flooding in more than 40 years in the capital city Manila and other areas of the northern Philippines. Now the typhoon is headed for Vietnam.
Throughout the evening and into Saturday night, Red Cross water search and rescue teams worked to save people stranded on rooftops and high walls. Using rubber and aluminum boats, the 21 specially trained teams brought more than 400 people to Red Cross evacuation centers in Manila and Benguet.
A total of 130 centers were opened within hours, giving refuge to nearly 75,000 people. Here, they were provided with hot meals, blankets and comfort after flash floods suddenly inundated their homes and neighborhoods.
The flooding, caused by a combination of Typhoon Ketsana and annual monsoon rains, caught most by surprise. While the typhoon was anticipated and citizens braced for it, many were surprised by its intensity as compared with other previous typhoons.
Within only six hours, a staggering 14 to 22 inches of rain fell on the area, an amount equivalent to a typical month's rainfall in the monsoon season.
More than 100 people are reported dead, towns east of Manila were submerged and there were reports of landslides in other parts of Luzon. Electricity in large parts of Manila either went down or was cut off for safety reasons. The airport was closed for hours, leaving hundreds of stranded passengers inside.
The government declared a state of calamity for Manila and 25 other provinces in Luzon.
The PNRC dispatched the search and rescue teams late Saturday afternoon, and mobilized hundreds of volunteers to assist stranded families fleeing the rising waters. The teams, evacuation centers and the Red Cross operational centre worked throughout the weekend to save lives.
As of Sunday morning the typhoon had passed, but the rescue work continued, since 80 percent of Manila was still under water and more rain has been forecast. Today, there are still thousands of people in the evacuation centers, and the Red Cross is dispatching assessment teams to affected communities."
The Filipino people need your help, please go to Philippine National Red Cross or at American Red Cross for donations:
Every little bit counts.
Please post or pass on this message, Thank you!
Carlo - Cell Addict
*pictures from reuters.com, inquirer.net
*article from American Red Cross
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