OBI staff unload emergency food and supplies from the Philippine Air Force's C-130 cargo plane for distribution to 3,000 families in the hard-hit Cantanduanes Province.

"Most of the areas affected are still isolated and communications are down," said Dr. Kim Pascual, director of Operation Blessing Philippines.

MANILA, Philippines - In the wake of Typhoon Durian, more than 1,000 people are feared dead and hundreds more missing and thought to be buried in the villages that were inundated with mud and volcanic debris.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has declared an official state of "national calamity," with reports of more than 93,000 families – or 453,000 people – in 11 provinces who have been affected by the storm.

Operation Blessing is focusing relief efforts on the two hardest hit areas, Albay and Cantanduanes Provinces. An OBI team, riding on a Philippines government C-130, was on the first relief flight into Cantanduanes Province. Three thousand packages containing noodles, five kilos of rice, canned sardines and meat as well as sugar and hygiene items were distributed to local families.

"Most of the areas affected are still isolated and communications are down," said Dr. Kim Pascual, director of Operation Blessing Philippines. "There are many storm victims needing medical assistance."

Strong winds and heavy rainfall marked the arrival of Typhoon Durian, which made landfall Nov. 29. It is the fourth major typhoon to hit the area in as many months. The typhoon caused flash floods and sent walls of muddy volcanic ash and red-hot boulders crashing down on several villages, according to published reports.

Winds reached 121 miles per hour and gusts were recorded up to 139, according to the weather bureau.

OBI is the only non-governmental organization currently working in Cantanduanes supplying aid. After traveling for more than 24 hours by truck to some of the destinations, the OBI teams discovered catastrophic damage, mostly from wind and flooding. Government warehouses filled with rice to help feed local families were destroyed by the flood waters and other aid was hampered by the damage to roads and waterways.

The hospital in Virac Cantanduanes, which is also the community where the airport is located, was destroyed.

A series of massive mudslides called Lahars raged down the slopes of volcano Mayon and destroyed, swept away or buried all in their path. The avalanche-like waves of volcanic ash, mud and rocks, triggered by Durian's torrential rains, moved so quickly that most victims were trapped, Pascual said.

Besides the need for food and medical intervention, locals are also in dire need of drinking water. Pascual is working to locate water to fly into the affected areas. OBI teams have also determined the need for tarps and galvanized roofing material to provide fundamental shelter for countless thousands who have lost their homes and are currently huddled in shelters.

"Our rescue teams are overstretched rescuing people on rooftops," said Glen Rabonza, head of the national Office of Civil Defense. Since the typhoon made landfall, OBI has spent more than $75,000 to aid in the relief efforts.

Jukes Nunez of the Albay Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council said many communities were still flooded Friday morning. "The request for rescue is overwhelming. The disaster managers are victims themselves," he said.

In late September, Typhoon Xangsane left 230 people dead and missing in and around Manila. Typhoon Cimaron killed 19 people and injured 58 others last month, and earlier this month, Chebi sliced through the central Luzon region, killing one.

About 20 typhoons and tropical storms hit the Philippines each year.

- AP contributed to this report.

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