Disaster Relief, Operation Blessing Style

by Dr. Kim April Pascual
Operation Blessing Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

More than just bringing hope and compassion to people in desperate need, one of the things Operation Blessing loves doing is sharing to groups and individuals how to mobilize help to people in need. Especially in a country like ours that is frequented by disasters every year, the spirit of bayanihan is strengthened moment by moment.

For a month now, Operation Blessing has been immersed in Northern Mindanao helping our fellowmen devastated by tropical storm Sendong. This morning, we went to Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental to distribute relief goods, and I want to share how we did the relief distribution:

1. Volunteers started by spreading out water pails which will be given to the Sendong-affected families in Tagoloan.

2. The pails were filled up with relief goods.

3. These were the goods placed inside the “relief pail."

4. Now, it’s ready to be given out.

5. During the distribution, representatives of each family were grouped first. Then we listened to their stories of survival, allowing them to release their inner struggles and fears brought by the horrifying memories of the disaster. Finally, we did the most important part: shared God’s love to these hurting families.

6. After the trauma debriefing, the relief pails were finally handed over to the beneficiaries.

7. Smiles brightened the relief distribution site as the beneficiaries happily received their relief pails.

8. After spending a brief but precious time with these people, they went their way back to their temporary shelters.

I hope this simple process I shared will be a big help for people who wants to help during times of calamities. Next time a disaster strikes and you and a group of your friends are moved by God to help, feel free to apply this process I just shared.

The Philippines experiences disasters year in and year out, and thousands of Filipinos are being affected and need a helping hand. The task is daunting, and we know that by ourselves alone, it is impossible to assist all the communities. With your initiative and assistance, let’s join hands in extending help and giving hope to people in desperate need.

Because We Care