Emergency Response to Typhoon Goni - Philippines

On November 1, 2020, Super Typhoon Goni struck the Philippines with winds up to 175 mph—the strongest since Typhoon Haiyan in 2013—leaving 125 cities and towns without electricity and displacing hundreds of thousands of people. The super typhoon left significant damage in the Bicol region and Quezon Province in Calabarzon, with approximately 2 million people affected by the storm, and more than 20 deaths. The Bicol region bore the brunt of the typhoon’s violent winds and torrential rains, blowing away roofs, toppling structures and causing severe flooding and landslides. More than 400,000 people were initially displaced from their homes, with an initial 361,000 people residing in just 2,287 crowded evacuation centers—exponentially increasing the potential for the further spread of COVID-19.

International Medical Corps continues to provide infection prevention and control materials to prevent the spread of disease, and also to provide water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support in community and health centers for people affected by this devastating super typhoon.

Since the start of the response, our teams have reached displaced populations in the hard-hit Bicol region. We have provided hygiene kits, including soap, toothpaste, cloth face masks, face shields, and more, to impacted families. Our teams have also reached two rural health facilities with WASH supplies, including aprons, goggles, soap, and detergent, to help keep their doors open as they face the impacts of the typhoon. These supplies also helped health facilities provide training to health workers on the proper use of disinfectants.

The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated response efforts. The risk of transmission remains high, especially in typically crowded evacuation centers. The Department of Health has reminded local governments to deploy safety officers to check sanitation and monitor COVID-19 symptoms among those displaced. The main COVID-19 laboratory in the Bicol region was also damaged, prompting the suspension of testing.

To address concerns over the spread of the virus, International Medical Corps is working with community volunteers to help keep families healthy despite the impacts of the typhoon, providing them with COVID-19 prevention supplies as they provide families with support. Together our community volunteers help identify those most in need, such as populations displaced from their homes due to the typhoon, as well as help ensure individuals wear masks, practice social distancing, and properly use soap or sanitizer.

As International Medical Corps’ typhoon recovery efforts continue in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we thank the GlobalGiving community of donors for their support.