Typhoon Bopha made landfall in Mindanao on 4 December 2012 causing massive damage across 3,064 barangays in 34 provinces. The typhoon affected more than 6,243,998 people (711,682 families) leaving the majority homeless and without any means of sustainable livelihood as almost all agricultural produce in the affected areas were totally destroyed. The estimated cost of the disaster now stands at PHP2billion (USD49million). The worst affected provinces were Compostela Valey and Davao Oriental of Region XI.
MERCY Malaysia deployed an assessment team on 14 December 2012 to identify the needs and gaps in the health sector. The team observed that there were already many medical teams working in the town areas of the affected provinces but very few were conducting clinics in the more isolated barangays.
MERCY Malaysia thus, deployed 3 medical teams to serve the affected communities in the interior barangays of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. The teams conducted medical outreach clinics in Compostela Valley in partnership with the Diocese of Tagum and the Diocese of Mati.
Due to the immense damage to houses and crops caused by Typhoon Bopha which has left communities without proper shelter, livelihood and access to healthcare, food, clean water and sanitation, we will continue to assess the evolving needs especially in the MHPSS and WASH sector.
The medical teams conducted a total of 28 medical outreach clinics over a duration of 7 weeks and served more than 8,505 people.