Thirty-six-year-old Carlo Lomuardo looked weary when he arrived to collect relief items from the Operation Blessing distribution site in Catbalogan, Samar.

The roof and walls of his wooden house in Barangay Rama fell to the force of Typhoon Jolina – known internationally as Conson – which battered the central Philippines last month.

Carlo’s family struggled on until the winds and rain became so heavy that he thought they wouldn’t make it.

“We nearly died because of that typhoon,” Carlo narrated.

During the onslaught of the typhoon, the flood waters engulfed their home and swept away their entire family.

“If it hadn’t been for a bamboo pole that we held on to during the storm, we don’t know where we would be right now,” he recalled.

Typhoon Jolina already left the Philippine Area of Responsibility, but it also left Carlo’s family and the whole province reeling from its impact.

To ease their suffering, Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm, distributed much-needed food bags and other essential items to thousands of Samareños.

The disaster response team also prayed for the affected families to give them hope and encouragement. We also partnered with a local church in the area to continue reaching out to them.

“This is a big help for us, especially the rice supply. We appreciate your kind gesture. Thank you, Operation Blessing,” Carlo said.

Although our kababayans have tried to minimize disruptions to their life as much as they could during this pandemic, the recent typhoons have brought fresh challenges. One is Typhoon Maring – another severe tropical storm that is currently lashing the northern parts of Luzon.

Support Operation Blessing’s One Step Ahead drive and help us gear up for Typhoon Maring relief operations!

Call 8-737-0-700 or visit the Operation Blessing website to know how you can give. You may also send your donations through the following bank accounts with account name Operation Blessing Foundation Phils., Inc.:

Banco De Oro (BDO)

Peso Account: 003-000-055-279

Dollar Account: 103-000-11-3333

Swift Code: BNORPHMM

Union Bank of the Philippines

Peso Account: 00-216-072163-9

Dollar Account: 13-216-000170-0

Swift Code: UBPHPHMM

Metrobank

Peso Account: 270-3-27050273-4

Dollar Account: 270-2-27000282-4

Swift Code: MBTCPHMM

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)

Peso Account: 3001-0040-33

(DSWD-SB-SP-00035-2021-Nationwide)