VFV Relief Operation for the Mudslide Disaster

by Nannette Morata
VFV Local Director

The mudslide disaster that happened on February 17th 2006 at Brgy. Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte called for a quick and massive action from the government, different organizations and rescue teams from all over the world. These various sectors converged in St. Bernard to give aid in various forms.

The AFP giving VFV a hand with the relief goods.

To give their own share of assistance, VFV went to St. Bernard to help in the rescue and relief operation. The organization was able to gather boxes of used clothing donated by the families at the BLISS community, the staff and other local people. Canned goods, bottled water, food, soap and other relief items were also purchased and brought to the area.

Relief goods for the victims & volunteers at the site.

The used clothing was brought to the relief center to be given to the survivors of the disaster. Since there was already a surplus of food, water and clothing for the families at the evacuation centers, VFV took the initiative of providing food to the Philippine rescue teams who were doing the excavation and searching for survivors. These teams work for long hours at the site and wait for the supply of food from the town. The food would usually arrive late and there was not ample amount of food for them. The team of VFV stayed at the operation site for 3 days, cooking food and serving hot meals to rescuers. Some of the members even helped out in the search for survivors at the mudslide area. VFV became the support group for Filipino rescuers who were helping in the search and rescue even without enough food and water supply.

The VFV gang along with some of the rescuers.

To make this relief operation possible, VFV tied up with Streetlight, the provincial office of Leyte and the Philippine Air Force team, who helped in providing for the group's transportation.