Letterkenny man aiding in typhoon-hit Philippines

A Letterkenny man who is helping in an area of Philippines hit by terrifying typhoons has told of the horror.

John Keys has been in Hagonoy in the Bulacan province, north of Manila for the last two weeks. He will spent another two weeks volunteering in the affected area.

The death toll from Typhoon Egay, strengthen by Typhoon Falcon, has now claimed 25 lives, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Some 21,000 people in Bulacan have been forced to evacuate due to the devastating floods. Almost P17 million worth of crops have been destroyed, including almost 500 hectares of rice fields. The total damage to crops and agriculture infrastructure has been estimated at P1.9 billion.

A further P3.5 billion worth of damage has been caused to buildings.

“It’s really difficult to explain the feelings of wakening up to the houses and streets flooded,” John told Donegal Live. 

Letterkenny man John Keys in a house affecting by flooding in Philippines.

“Initially I was afraid. Then you see how the locals just embrace it, as it’s out of their control, and just get on with things and that has inspired me to try and help.”

John, a former Letterkenny Rovers player now coaching in the clubs women’s section, has launched a GoFundMe page, through which he hopes to raise funds to create food parcels for families. You can donate BY CLICKING HERE

Twenty people remain missing and 52 are injured say the NDRRMC, while a total of 200,000 people in Philippines have been displaced.

Further floods and landslides are possible in the area.

“The storms are ferocious and has lashed the northern provinces,” John said. “Thousands of villagers have been displaced as it blew tin roofs off rural houses, flooded low-lying settlements and knocked out the power.”