Operation Blessing volunteers distributed food to more than 1,500 families affected by Typhoon Milenyo.

OBI offered livelihood assistance to local farmers in the form of seedlings. An initial 100 families will receive seedlings for local crops.

PHILIPPINES - By the close of September, Typhoon Milenyo was gone from the Philippines, but not forgotten.

Especially, by the farmers.

On September 28, Milenyo made landfall on the island nation, prompting flash floods and landslides, obliterating homes, toppling trees, and leaving countless areas without power. Thousands of people were displaced while the death toll rose to more than 100.

In addition, Milenyo washed out acres of farm lands, destroying hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of agricultural crops. The province of Libon, Albay, was among the hardest-hit in the country.

"[Although] September and October are supposed to be harvest months, almost 90 percent of all of Libon's harvestable crops were destroyed by the typhoon," said Libon Mayor Agnes Dycoco. "Whatever the farmers were able to recover will only be used to pay off debts."

Responding to the need, Operation Blessing offered livelihood assistance to local farmers in the form of seedlings. An initial 100 families will receive seedlings for pechay, talong, and other local crops.

In addition, OBI also launched a massive relief and rehabilitation program, providing food, medicine, housing, and livelihood grants to more than 1,500 families.

Mamerta, a 76-year-old widow and great-grandmother, is one of hundreds of villagers who saw their homes torn down by Milenyo's winds.

Operation Blessing teams sponsored the construction of a new home for Mamerta, in addition to homes for other villagers, and provided her family with the goods necessary to begin a small store.

"God spoke to your hearts to help me, and for that I am deeply thankful," said a tearful Mamerta.

Mayor Dycoco hopes the local government's partnership with Operation Blessing continues long-term, and is optimistic about the future of her village.

"This partnership . . . it could just be the start of new hope," Dycoco said. "When you plant seedlings, you are also planting hope in your life."

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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