Relief To Siargao Island Barangay Santa Fe

Hello,

 

Typhoon relief is desperately needed in Siargao Island. This go fund me is to immediately aid the village and community of Santa Fe with food, water, and essentials through a direct supply channel. Continuing aid will go towards rebuilding the houses and buildings in the community which have been completely destroyed.

 

Siargao Island, a small island off the North East Coast of Mindanao, in the Southern Philippines, was absolutely devastated by Typhoon Odette. The eye of the storm literally passed directly over the island and cut straight through Barangay (town) Santa Fe at around 1 pm on December 16, 2021 with sustained winds of over 165 mph.

 

The storm was predicted to be a category 2 typhoon (hurricane) in at the worst in all of its models, but quickly became a category 5 just before landfall, causing absolute destruction. Estimates are that 95% of all structures on the island have been severely damaged or destroyed. The majority of structures have either completely collapsed or now have no roof. All electricity and communication with the island has been completely cut off. The only reports and pictures coming in are from people who left the island on rescue planes and boats, days after the impact.

 

The news we have is that food and drinking water are already extremely scarce, and as stated, almost all homes and structures have been destroyed. There are over 100,000 permanent residents of Siargao Island, and it took the brunt of the storm which severely impacted and caused destruction in 9 provinces over the week.

 

Barangay Santa Fe is a small town, just north of General Luna, the main tourist destination on the island. It is a small fishing village and community.  The community has been largely destroyed. Even the roof and walls of the evacuation center were destroyed during the landfall of the super typhoon. The reports we have are that there is very limited amounts of food, clean water, shelter, boats, and sanitation at the moment. Adding to our concern is that Santa Fe and Santa Cruz are small communities that we don't want to get overlooked. We are focused on making sure that the community of Santa Fe, and nearby Santa Cruz, are getting the aid they need. We have already arranged for the first boat of goods, which were purchased in Butuan, about a 6 hour trip from Siargao, on the mainland of Mindanao to go to siargao early this week.

 

Goods will include rice, gasoline for generators, canned goods, fresh water, solar lamps, tarpaulins for shelter, and other sanitary needs goods. Funds will also be given to the Local Government Unit (LGU) in Barangay Santa Fe and Santa Cruz to help aid in the rebuilding and relief of the local efforts.

 

Because of the scale of the damage across the central Philippines, official government response has been a bit slow. I am sure they are mobilizing and doing the best that they can, but we want to try and get a first wave of support in through more nimble and focused channels.

 

The damage is truly beyond belief. Estimates for the return of electricity to the island are six months. The island is a complete disaster zone right now and help is urgent.

 

Please help donate whatever you can. All use of funds and allocation will be transparent and available.

 

Thank you for your support.

 

Who we are:

Jeff and Jen Graham in conjunction with members and residents of the communities of Santa Fe and Santa Cruz- We have been members of the community of Santa Fe, Siargao Island since 2013, Full time residents of Santa Fe, Siargao Island since 2017.

 

Who we are raising money for: The communities of Barangay Santa Fe and Santa Cruz on Siargao Island, which were destroyed by Super Typhoon Odettte (Rai).

 

How the money will reach the community: Funds collected here will be transferred to members of the Santa Fe community who will collect the money off the island (on the mainland of Mindanao) and purchase relief goods which will then be sent via boat directly to Santa Fe where they will be distributed via the Barangay Captain to the local community. A supply line with boats, priority access in Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and family members in Davao who are also sending goods has already been established and the first trip was made today, December 20.

 

What the funds will purchase: Weekly supplies of rice, fresh water, solar lamps, canned goods, tarps, construction materials (roofing, nails, tools, Chainsaw to clear roads) gasoline and diesel for generators and vehicle use on the island, a satellite phone, milk for infants and toddlers, transportation to and from Davao, Butuan, Port of Surigao and Siargao.