Emergency Response to Typhoon Mangkhut

Typhoon Mangkhut, locally known as Ompong, made landfall on northeast Luzon—the Philippines’ largest and most populated island—early on the morning of September 15, 2018.

The strongest storm across the world in 2018, this Category-5 typhoon reportedly produced waves reaching almost 30 feet high, caused excessive flooding, and resulted in multiple landslides. Local officials have reported that more than three million people were affected and more than 210,000 homes were damaged.

International Medical Corps deployed to the typhoon-affected areas to assess the needs of the women, men and children. Today, our team is working towards improving access to health services and addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs following the devastation from Mangkhut. 

In Bengut province, our team found that the electricity supply to its municipalities had been cut off following the typhoon. As a result, health clinics without other sources of energy – such as a generator – lost power, limiting the services they could provide to those in need of medical care.

The health clinic in Bakun – one of the 13 municipalities in Benguet – was among those affected. To ensure that Bakun’s health clinic can keep its doors open even in times of power failure, International Medical Corps equipped the facility with a generator. The generator will help guarantee the cold chain for temperature-sensitive vaccines and power the obstetrics department for mothers and newborns.

Health Officer, Dr. Maryjane, has noted, “Thank you very much for making this generator available to our health unit and community, especially after Typhoon Mangkhut, which affected the area after the community faced Habagat [the summer season composed of monsoon rains from the southwest]. Power outages almost always accompany heavy rains here, and this generator will help us keep our vaccines safe and effective, and at the same time allow us to deliver services even during times when there are power outages at night.”

Dr. Maryjane illustrates how helpful any amount of support can be. We thank GlobalGiving for your continued support as we address needs in Bakun, as well as in other typhoon-affected municipalities following Typhoon Mangkhut.