In response to the typhoon, OB Philippines linked arms with the National Disaster Coordinating Council to help aid area victims.

ILOILO CITY, Philippines - A powerful typhoon hit the Philippines this weekend leaving a trail of destruction in its path.

The death toll continues to rise as search efforts resume today. To date, government officials estimate 361 have died as a result of the storm; 70 of those were on a ferry that capsized during the height of the typhoon.

“Many parts of the country were submerged under flood waters, but the hardest hit area was the Visayas region with hundreds of thousands affected,” said Kim Pascual, executive vice president and chief operating officer with OB Philippines.

In response, OB Philippines linked arms with the National Disaster Coordinating Council to help aid area victims.

“Our immediate focus will be Iloilo City, one of the severely hit areas during the typhoon where flashfloods destroyed many properties,” Pascual said.

The National Food Authority's warehouse, which typically aids people in need, is already submerged and its stock of rice engulfed by water rendering it to waste, making the people's lives harder, Pascual added.

In Iloilo City, 188,000 residents are in need of rice and drinking water. Pascual said the goal is to initially provide 5,000 with needed supplies.

“We want to mobilize these goods as soon as possible,” she said.

In other regions, government officials are reporting widespread damage to crops and food storage buildings.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

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