Flood Disaster Philippines PECOJON

On December 17, 2011 a flashflood hit the Southern Philippine island of Mindanao and created destruction and devastation. Authorities count between 600 and 800 dead, houses got washed away by the flood and mud. The most strongly affected areas are Cagayan De Oro and Iligan.
PECOJON works in the Philippines for more than seven years. We represent about a thousand journalists in Asia, who try to contribute to the transformation of conflicts in the region with conflict sensitive journalism and high quality reporting. Often their work involves high risks and even threats to their lives.
The flash flood in the Philippine South has affected many of them. They lost their houses and all of their belongings. Water and food are short, they lack shelter and medical aid.
PECOJON has sent a team to provide first emergency response to our colleagues in the field, however, our means are limited. To increase the effectiveness of our efforts and help the victims of the catastrophe to a new beginning we plea for support.
Donations will be used for emergency response, trauma healing and as a start up support for those most strongly affected by the event. PECOJON guarantees that all donation will be used 100% to support the victims of the disaster, since the organization funds its administrative expenses out of its own means.
PECOJON has a track record of successful project implementation and has been recognized by the German government and aid organizations as credible and efficient organization in development cooperation.
Letter from Len Manriquez, member PECOJONs first response team in Cagayan De Oro:
"On December 17, 2011 at around 2.00AM in the morning, we have received a helpless call from a dear colleague, a very dedicated Pecojon member, that he has difficulty in reaching his family in Cagayan de Oro. He took the bus from Davao and traveled amidst the devastation that broke that night.
Another member, went out to cover rescue operations at 2.00AM only to find out that his house was already gone full of mud. In Iligan a Pecojon member had her feet severely wounded after climbing to the roof. We found her assisting national media in the coverage despite that she is limping.
We initially bought drinking water and clothing to be sent out to flood affected victims in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan as well as medical and first aid kits for journalists covering the disaster. We know very well that even if their very homes were hit they still continue to go into the field and report about the incident.
On December 18, 2011 we flew to Cagayan de Oro as news broke out that many Pecojon members were affected by the flooding The help launch we've initiated has been successful in terms of delivering clothing and food but will never be enough for the victims to rebuild their lives. In this very tragic situation, I, in behalf of Pecojon and in behalf of the media practitioners affected by the flood plea for help for my colleagues.
(Len Manriquez, PECOJON) Read more