The years 2020 and 2021 have seen a perfect storm that has left millions of families reeling from hunger — the COVID-19 pandemic. And it continues to affect the world.

This October, a literal storm ravaged the northern parts of the country – the Severe Tropical Storm Maring, known internationally as Kompasu.

Typhoon Maring hit 8 provinces in Luzon and brought heavy rains, strong winds, and severe flooding. It caused damage to billions of pesos-worth of agriculture and properties. The devastation it brought claimed 23 lives, and affected 155, 156 families, according to the latest report from Business Mirror.

Typhoon Maring’s onslaught on top of the hunger and economic crisis brought by the pandemic pushed many of our kababayans further to the brink of starvation.

Barangay Captain Kley Calado of Barangay Pappa in Sablan, Benguet witnessed how their community suffered from the typhoon’s impact.

“We can’t go out because almost all roads here are closed. Our power supply is not yet restored, and our crops were destroyed because of the strong winds and rains. Some areas are also affected by landslide,” he said.

It was a relief when Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm, visited their town and delivered lifesaving supplies.

More than 150 families received food bags, solar lights, and toys for the kids. The disaster response team also prayed for the beneficiaries and offered words of encouragement.

“Thank you, Operation Blessing, for reaching out to us. May you continue your good work so you can help more people,” said captain Calado.

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Over the weekend, Operation Blessing also visited several barangays in Salcedo, Ilocos Sur, and distributed food bags, mats, blankets, and other essential items.

The good were transported with the help of Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Civil Relations Service, 1st Civil Relations Group Hilagang Luzon, Off-road volunteers, Ilocos Sur Local Government Unit, and the overland group LIBUT from Angeles, Pampanga.

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Today, more than 300 families of farmers in Barangay Lubo, Kibungan, Benguet received food bags, mats, blankets, diapers, and toys for their children.

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Many Typhoon Maring-affected families were reached, but more are still in need of immediate relief.

You can help make sure that Operation Blessing’s disaster response team can help when and where it is needed most!

You may send your donations through Operation Blessing’s website or 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

For more information on how you can sponsor, call 0939-921-5543 or 0918-906-7753.

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