MANILA, Philippines – The devastating impact of Typhoons Nika and Ofel continues to unfold across the Philippines, with the number of displaced families reaching staggering heights.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the number of affected families has skyrocketed to 85,415 across five regions, a significant jump from the 52,551 reported just a day earlier.
These families, comprising 309,518 individuals residing in 1,189 barangays (villages), have been forced to seek refuge as the powerful storms swept through the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol, and Cordillera regions.
The NDRRMC situational report paints a grim picture, with 8,676 families, or 26,923 people, taking shelter in 367 evacuation centers. An additional 5,653 families, or 19,572 individuals, are being assisted outside of these centers.
“The sheer scale of displacement is truly heartbreaking,” said NDRRMC spokesperson Maria Fernandez. “Our teams are working around the clock to provide aid and relief to the affected communities.”
While there have been no confirmed casualties reported thus far, the NDRRMC is still validating reports of two individuals injured in Central Luzon due to the storms’ effects.
The devastation extends beyond the human toll, with 2,394 houses damaged in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Cordillera regions. Infrastructure damage in Central Luzon alone is estimated at a staggering PHP320,658,974.36 (approximately $6.3 million).
“The road to recovery will be long and arduous,” Fernandez acknowledged. “But we are committed to standing by the affected families and communities every step of the way.”
