Typhoon Tino brings devastating flooding to the Philippines, displacing families

Heavy rains and devastating flooding caused by Typhoon Tino have impacted over 2,100 sponsored individuals and their families served by Unbound’s Antipolo program, with some losing everything as people scrambled to find safety on higher ground.

According to media reports, the powerful storm has killed at least 66 people, impacted over 700,000 and displaced thousands due to flooding. Thankfully, to date, no serious injuries or casualties have been reported among families who are part of Unbound’s programs.

Heavy rains, overflowing rivers and intense storm surges created a terrifying situation for families, while strong winds downed power lines making communication a challenge.

Tino, internationally known as Typhoon Kalmaegi, struck the central Philippines Visayas region, including three provinces that are home to Unbound families: Cebu with 321 families, Iloilo with 1,204 and Aklan with 626. In Cebu, 44 sponsored families were forced to stay at the local evacuation center because of extensive damage to their homes from floodwaters, which ranged from waist-deep to as high as first-floor ceilings. In other communities, many homes lost their roofs in high winds.

“Yesterday, the flood reached our ceiling,” said Dahlia, a parent leader who lives in Cebu with her husband, three children, mother and three nephews. “We stayed on the second floor of our house, but the water kept rising until it reached the floor of the second level.

“We decided to evacuate and move to an abandoned house beside ours because it was on a higher ground. We were afraid that if the rain continued throughout the night, our entire house might be submerged, and we could get trapped inside. We used the window to transfer into the abandoned house for safety.”

Damage in the Antipolo community is extensive. Many homes, including Dahlia’s, were submerged in floodwaters and vehicles were seen floating along streets overtaken by high water.

Dahlia’s family, like many others, experienced intense anxiety as floodwaters took over their neighborhood. Families will also be facing lost income. With the severe flooding and lack of power, Unbound staff is still in the process of gathering detailed information.

Unbound staff assesses recovery needs

The local government has distributed food packs, and the Unbound Antipolo staff is transferring funds for families to buy other immediate, essential needs, though due to panic buying and the dire situation, it has become increasingly difficult to purchase necessary food and supplies.

“I was only able to buy a can of sardines so that we could have something to eat,” Dahlia said. “My child and one of my nephews are also sick, which makes our situation even harder. What we need the most right now is clean water for drinking.”

Unbound staff continues to reach out to the families in this region to assess their recovery needs, especially those in Cebu who experienced an earthquake a month ago.

“Our sponsored families, who rely on small daily earnings, now face the challenge of starting over again after the destruction brought by the typhoon,” Erwin Bonaobra, Unbound’s Antipolo coordinator, said. “Many spent the night awake, guarding what little they could save and keeping their children warm as the floodwaters continued to rise. Some sought safety on higher ground, while others stayed close to their homes, hoping the water would recede before it took everything.”

Once travel is safe, Bonaobra said staff will identify all families who lost their homes or require repairs, as well as families who need basic items for their daily living.

The Philippines endures an average of 20 tropical cyclones each year, with typhoon season typically lasting from June through November. Tino is the 20th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, and its intensity highlights the country’s risk during extreme weather events, particularly for those families living in more vulnerable areas and modest conditions.

As recovery efforts are underway following Tino, the Philippines is bracing for another typhoon, even stronger than Tino, that is expected this weekend. Typhoon Uwan is projected to make landfall over the northern part of Luzon, moving closer to the Metro Manila area.

“Per today’s news, Super Typhoon Uwan, a signal 5, is coming this weekend,” Malou Navio, Unbound’s regional program director, said. “Let’s keep in our prayers and care that all shall be safe and free from any harm.”

How to help families affected by disaster

As reports continue to come in from the field and Unbound assesses the extent of families’ needs, here are steps sponsors and others can take now to help.

• • Pray. The Unbound community is keeping all those affected and those assisting with relief efforts in our prayers.


• • Learn about and donate to the Critical Needs Fund, which assists families in the aftermath of events such as floods, severe storms, earthquakes and fires.

Regional reporter for Asia Tristan John Cabrera and Unbound staff in the Philippines contributed information and photos for this story.