SARO Community responded to typhoon victims
By Agnes van de Beek-Pavia
The Hague-The Netherlands
January 18, 2021
“Pagtabang sa Kahimanwa” 1st Relief Operation Project which brought 50 food packs to typhoon victims in the coastal village of Sogod, Tiwi, Albay last November 14, 2020.
The Philippines was struck by typhoons of unprecedented magnitude in the month of November putting Bicol provinces under a state of calamity. Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses left a tremendous devastation in different parts of the country.
It was in this light that SARO Community, an organization mobilized by Bicolano residents in South Holland, initiated a call for donation to support and provide immediate relief to those who have been severely affected by typhoons Rolly (Goni) and Ulysses.
5th Relief Operation in Guinobatan, Albay held last December 5, 2020 which benefitted 51 families housed in an evacuation center in Travesia Guinobatan, Albay.
Bicol Region and Southern Luzon especially the provinces of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Albay had a share of this immense loss. Catastrophic violent winds, intense rainfall and lahar flows damaged agricultural crops, infrastructure and livelihoods in these areas. It also caused fatalities, 14 deaths were from Albay, while six were from Catanduanes province.
4th Relief Operation in Simamla, Virac Catanduanes held last December 3, 2020 which provided 80 families with food assistance.
“Pamaskong Dulot sa Kaakian” conducted last December 26, 2020 in Milaor Camarines Sur. Sixty (60) children received school bags filled with basic school supplies, goodies and snacks during this Christmas gift-giving activity.
Seeing this tremendous damage on lives and properties, SARO Community responded and conducted 6 relief operations “Pagtabang sa Kahimanwa” in three provinces in Bicol region. These operations sent financial assistance and food packs to 50 families in the coastal village of Sogod, Tiwi, Albay, 54 in Milaor Camarines Sur, 80 in Sumamla Catanduanes, 52 in Guinobatan, Albay and 7 in Maynonong Tiwi, Albay. These 243 families were severely hit by this devastating typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. Their homes and livelihood were blown off leaving them in miserable conditions. Most of these families spent the Christmas season in evacuation centers.
Tatay Salvador Manrique was a recipient of the financial assistance during our 2nd relief operation in Guinobatan, Albay. The lahar flow took away Tatay’s wife and two children. His four-year old son, swept away by raging waters was found nearly 25 kilometers away in the coastal town of Oas. His wife was found in another town while his eldest daughter is still missing.
A total amount of €3,186.41 was collected during this month-long fundraising campaign. With these donations, SARO Community was able to respond to the needs of our kababayan for basics like food and water.
Sixty (60) kids also benefitted from the community’s Christmas project “Pamaskong Dulot sa Kaakian” last December 26, 2020 at Milaor, Camarines Sur. These children received school bags packed with basic school supplies, pouch of candies and snacks.
3rd Relief Operation in Milaor Camarines Sur providing 54 families with grocery packs conducted on November 29, 2020.
The relief operations could have not been possible without the generosity of family and friends. SARO Community received a significant response from the public. The selfless commitment made by the volunteers in three different provinces in Bicol region also made an essential part in the conduct of the relief operations “Pagtabang sa Kahimanwa”.
SARO Community has been an active partner of TULONG KABAYAN NETHERLANDS – a joint humanitarian effort of FILMIS, MCVO and SARO, in response to the needs of our vulnerable kababayan in this time of pandemic. This initiative has been operating since October 16, 2020 and has distributed 1200 AH food vouchers to OFWs in The Hague. TULONG KABAYANS exists with the active support and cooperation of Maria Sterre der Zee Parish (Martha Church), Filipino Communities, Philippine Embassy in The Hague and Red Cross Netherlands.
SARO is a nonprofit organization which is committed to serve , act and respond as one community in helping those in need especially in times of crisis and natural calamities. It aims to promote humanitarian goals and services, strengthen active volunteerism, encourage inter-community involvement, promote national and regional culture and intensify progressive and responsible citizenship. The term “Saro” comes from the Bicol language, spoken by people in the Bicol Peninsula in the island of Luzon in the Philippines, which means “one” and it connotes a unified effort. SARO Community was organized on October 28, 2020 by Bicolano-Dutch residents in South Holland.
---------------------------
Video links on SARO Community:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHw468MRscc&fbclid=IwAR1mIlw2q-f60V4lkxAbYBjU8goPfpogl-n361H5zGjow5TFzdXgJh0iyxY
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGkxexy2-tw
----------------------------