The Philippines - Typhoon Durian: First calling operations for survivors. TSF keeps rescue teams online in Catanduanes

TSF started, on Friday, its first humanitarian calling operations for affected populations in Virac on Catanduanes Island. All telephone networks are destroyed (landlines and GSM) and according to local operators they should not be re-established before mid-December. 188 families (approximately 800 people) have been put in contact with a loved one, either in the Philippines or abroad, to give news on the situation for the first time since Typhoon Durian hit the country. Affected families have also been able to request personalized assistance and notably money. In total, TSF offered more than 11 hours of satellite based communications. 95% of families calling had their house destroyed by the typhoon. 57 families (30%) called abroad. According to our head of mission, reached over Inmarsat Mini M satellite terminal, there were so many families wanting to make a call that some had to wait for nearly an hour. To cover all the needs TSF will be operating in Virac for the several days. In addition, TSF recruited 7 additional local volunteers to run its operations.dditional local volunteers to run its operations.

The latest toll published by the National Disaster Coordinating Centre (NDCC, Philippines Civil Protection) on Friday announced 34 392 families (146 405 people) affected on Catanduanes island for a total population of 215 356.

In TSF's Telecom Centre in Virac, 13 relief organizations are benefiting from our Internet satellite connections, phone and fax lines and from our technical assistance. The total number of relief workers using our centre on Friday was of 24. The Telecom Centre enables rescue teams to send updated assessments on the situation, to better respond to survivors' needs and also to follow in real time the path of the new typhoon which should hit the Philippines in the coming hours. The authorities of the Philippines are indeed very concerned for the survivors of Typhoon Durian left without shelter and protection.

The TSF team is notably composed of a volunteer from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). On December 1st, TSF and AIT signed a partnership to collaborate in emergencies in Asia. TSF is ready to send more teams from its regional base in Bangkok and headquarters in France, depending on the needs.

NDCC announced on Tuesday the toll reaches 1 266 killed and over 1.5 million affected in the Philippines' entire archipelago. Another typhoon is heading for the Philippines and could be hitting Catanduanes within the next 24 hours.

Since the beginning of the year, this is the second time TSF deploys to the Philippines. In February, TSF intervened on Leyte island following the heavy mudslide which killed 1 000. It is also the eight mission of TSF in 2006 after Bolivia, The Philippines, Niger, Suriname, Indonesia-Java, Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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