As the country further warms up due to the El Niño phenomenon, another kind of dry spell has hit the victims of last week’s fire in Mandaue City who have sought temporary shelter at the grounds of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).
“Water is a constant issue, labi na karon nga init kaayo (especially now that it is very hot),” said Philip Tan of the Rotary Club of Cebu West, which has pledged to provide around 14,000 liters of water a day to the fire victims for their bathing and sanitation needs.
“This might cover a few thousand people but not maybe in totality. But that is the start of how we will be able to help the victims,” Tan said in a phone interview with Cebu Daily News.
“The water can be used by the evacuees for bathing and doing laundry. But if they want to use it for drinking, they have to boil it,” the executive said.
Keeping themselves fresh and clean during the day is just half of the problem as the evacuees have to constantly keep themselves re-hydrated by drinking lots of water daily to avoid getting sick after spending hours under the scorching heat of the sun at the CICC grounds.
The Department of Health (DOH) Region 7 said that since the evacuation site is not well ventilated, evacuees are advised to drink at least eight to 12 glasses of water a day to avoid dehydration.
If each evacuee were to drink at least eight glasses of water daily, at least 18,684 liters of drinking water will have to be made available at the site everyday.
Based on records of the City Social Welfare and Services (CSWS) of Mandaue City, 9,342 people were victimized by the blaze that hit Barangays Mantuyong and Guizo Saturday dawn.
More are believed to have been affected by the fire though not registered with CSWS. Unverified data from CSWS earlier placed the number of victims at close to 11,000 people.
HEALTH RISKS
“As much as possible magpalandong jud sila kay possible pud ang heatstroke ana, (they should take shelter because it’s also possible to have heatstroke),” Dr. Joanri Riveral, DOH-7 medical officer III, told Cebu Daily News.
Symptoms of heat stroke include sweating, intense thirst, dizziness, fainting, weakness, and a surge of the person’s blood pressure.
The health department also warned against the possible outbreak of measles, diarrhea and sore eyes if proper sanitation and hygiene are not observed at the CICC grounds.
“They must always observe cleanliness in the area and wash their hands properly to avoid the spread of diseases,” Dr. Joanri Riveral, DOH Medical Officer III told Cebu Daily News.
Dr. Riveral urged that a supply of clean water must always be made available to the evacuees for drinking and bathing. Donated food packs must also be double checked to ensure that these are safe for consumption, Riveral said.
About a hundred evacuees reportedly go to a makeshift clinic at the CICC grounds daily to have themselves checked for a variety of medical problems.
The Mandaue City Health Office (CHO) and Cebu Provincial Health Office (CPHO) reported that many of those who visited the clinic asked for medicines for cough and colds.
Donations
At least three business organizations in Cebu have pledged to provide aid to the fire victims in Mandaue.
Aside from the Rotary Club of Cebu West which promised to provide one tanker or around 14,000 liters of non-drinkable water a day, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) have begun coordinating with the Mandaue City government on specific action plans.
“CCCI is extending maximum support for the Mandaue fire victims now situated at CICC. We have mobilized our Disaster Risk and Reduction Committee to facilitate the assistance ASAP,” CCCI president Melanie Ng told Cebu Daily News in a text message yesterday.
As of yesterday afternoon, she said they have started procuring food for the victims.
“The water is ready. We are coordinating with the city and province on the manner of distribution,” she said.
Yesterday afternoon, MCCI called for an emergency board meeting to assess how they can help the victims.
MCCI president Donato Busa said they have started calling on members for donations in cash or kind.
All three organizations are currently in close contact with the Mandaue City government.
“Following closely in urgency is the need to establish how to dole out assistance as fairly and equitably as possible,” Tan said.
In Cebu City, Mayor Michael Rama wants to appropriate P5 million from the city’s calamity fund as financial assistance to the victims.
“We’ve been helping out others during Yolanda. Kana pa kaha nuong silingan (How much more our neighbor)?” Rama told reporters.
Rama ordered the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) to facilitate the release of funds as soon as possible. A donation would need approval from the Cebu City Council.
Rama said the financial assistance will be coursed through the Mandaue City government to avoid a duplication of the purchases.
Rama also asked Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) Chief Collin Rosell to contact private donors in the city and urge them to help.
If needed, Rama said the city government will extend its manpower and equipment to help rebuild the homes of victims.
Sariling Sikap
Meanwhile after three days of waiting for a good roof over their heads, some fire victims have started to buy construction materials and built makeshift shanties at the CICC grounds.
Alan Remedio, 57, said his family could no longer endure the heat as they are lying on the ground with just a piece of cardboard as sleeping mat.