As Typhoon Ramil gathers strength off the coast of the Philippines, many Filipinos in Canada worry about family members that remain in places like Luzon, including Metro Manila, and in many low-lying areas. News reports say that as many as 700 people were killed by Tropical cyclones Ondoy and Pepeng which hit the island recently, from either flooding or landslides. Over a million other people have been displaced.
On Oct. 4, Vicky Resella, a member of Hillcrest Christian Church in Toronto, had heard only bits and pieces of news about the torrential rains and flooding that pummeled the nation. Communicating with loved ones has been difficult, Resella said, because phone lines were washed away in the floods. She is aware that her mother’s home was ruined by the waters and all of her possessions destroyed. Her mother and a brother have since moved in with one of Resella’s sisters who lives on higher ground about 90 minutes away.
“I thank God that my family is safe at this time,” said Resella. “Before my dad died last year, he was bedridden and I don’t know how he would have been able to make it out of the house.”
Many poor people drowned in the floods, Resella and others at the church said. Poorer families are most affected by the devastating storms because they tend to live in low-lying areas where deforestation and urbanization makes the area more prone to floods.
Photo: Filipinos members of Hillcrest Christian Church gather for Bible study. Many are concerned about those in their family who have been affected by floods in the Philippines.
