Visiting Laak

HRC and Oxfam distribute hygiene and water kits to residents of Brgy. Kidawa in Laak

    A resident of Brgy. Kidawa in Laak, Compostela Valley, 51-year old Susan Unuangay looks pensively at the land before her – the muddy, now-unproductive rice fields and the barren mountains beyond. She shared, “Karon pa mi kita na ana diay ang porma anang mga bukida. Sa una, ga-green-green ra na siya, puno ug punuan. Mao bugnaw kini among lugar. Karon, musakit imong ulo, sa kasuga sa adlaw.” (It is only now that we know that the mountains are shaped that way. Before, we see nothing but green because of the trees. We also used to enjoy cooler days now, our heads would ache because of the glaring heat of the sun.)

         Typhoon Pablo left the mountains bare. Big trees are rendered “skeletal,” devoid of leaves while the smaller ones are either reduced to a stump or were completely uprooted. “Naa mi uma na lima ka-ektrarya, gitanuman namo ug saging, rubber, cacao ug lubi. Wala gyud nabilin. Among rubber na tag-as na unta, nahurot gyud (We have a 5-hectare farm planted with banana, rubber, cacao and coconut. Nothing is left. Our rubber trees, already tall (and almost productive), were not spared as well),” Susan related further.

         Pointing at the closest hill she continued, “Diha, anang gamay na bungtod, diha mi nagpaingon tanan. Nitaas naman ang tubig mao naningkamot mi makasaka sa bungtod. Arang kakusog sa hangin, ipalid gayod ang tawo. Mutikang mi kaisa, muatras ug ikaduha. Dili puydi mubarog kay madala gayod sa hangin. Naningkamot na lang gyud mi. Kaluoy sa Diyos, wala’y namatay diri sa among lugar.” (In that small hill before us, that’s where we went. The water had started to rise that is why we tried our best to go to a higher ground. The wind was very strong that a person could be swept away. We would take one step but then driven back two steps. We really just tried our best. Thank God, everyone was spared and none of us died.)

   

RBolo

HRC and Oxfam went to Brgy. Kidawa in Laak Compostela Valley to distribute hygiene and water kits to the residents there.  Cash grants, in the amount of one thousand five hundred pesos each, were given as well.  From Tagum City, it took us two hours to get to the poblacion proper of Laak.  Another two hours, to get to Brgy. Kidawa which was the most badly hit.  Twice, we had to cross a river owing to fallen and broken bridges.  The sights were unbelievable. One could see fallen trees, and countless tree stumps standing like upright toothpicks as far as eyes can see. They served as a reminder to Pablo’s magnitude.  We knew we have arrived when we saw the makeshift tents lining the road on both sides.  

Photo credit: FRamiro

Before the actual distribution, Abie Ayao of Oxfam gave an orientation about the HRC and a demonstration on how to use hyposol.  After which, they were then directed to the trucks for their hygiene and water kits. 

       Each hygiene kit contained mosquito nets, malongs, blankets, laundry and bath soaps, sanitary napkins, toothbrushes, toothpastes and underwears for both men and women members of the family. For the water kits, given were 10-liter jerry cans and hyposol.  

Some more pictures:

The hygiene kits in the warehouse in Tagum

The contents of each hygiene kit

Laak skyline is lined with skeletal trees  which seemed like mute sentinels,
 reminding everyone how we humans are no match really to nature's strength. (RBolo)

Fallen trees everywhere.

One of the many houses "knocked down" by Bopha 

A few of the makeshift tents in Brgy. Kidawa which temporarily house the residents
who lost their homes during Bopha's onslaught.

Uprooted trees all-over the place

Our convoy.