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The Situation
A massive fire swept through the crowded shanty Parola compound in Tondo area, near the port of Manila in the evening of February 7, destroying more than 1,000 makeshift houses and leaving 3,000 families (15,000 people) homeless. Seven people were reported injured.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the flames spread quickly as houses in the area are made of light materials, making them incredibly flammable. 90 fire trucks were deployed, and fire was put out in the morning of February 8. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Four evacuation centres were opened right after the fire broke out and are still active, accommodating more than 1,000 families. Some 900 other families chose to spend the night on pavements near their burned homes. Food and water have been provided to the affected families at the evacuation centres by the local government and NGOs.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the local government of Manila are assessing the needs of the affected people. The Manila City government has announced plans to release PHP 3 million (approximately CHF 60,000) from its calamity fund to address immediate needs of the affected 3,000 families.