Aerial photo shows massive destruction of Guiuan town after typhoon Yolanda battered the area. (Photo courtesy of AFP Central Command)
MANILA, Nov. 12, 2013—A deepening fuel shortage is weighing down emergency relief assistance to thousands of people affected by the super typhoon “Yolanda” in Eastern Samar, a Catholic priest said.
Fr. Neil Tenafrancia of the Diocese of Borongan’s social communication office said there is no let up in the church and other organization’s relief efforts but the fuel crisis limits their operations.
“That’s our problem here because we remain isolated. Many roads were destroyed by the typhoon,” Tenafrancia said in a phone interview from Catbalogan, Western Samar.
The priest also lamented that food items are running out particularly in the province’s capital city of Borongan.
“So even if you still have money, you can’t buy anything,” he said.
According to him, the problem also triggered fuel overpricing in the province.
Tenafrancia also appealed on the national government to help bring relief aid to the province. He said among the immediate needs include water, food, medicine and basic medical supplies.
He said that Borongan and Guiuan, where the strong typhoon made its first landfall on Friday, have airports where airplanes carrying relief goods can land.
Aside from Guiuan, Tenafrancia said other areas that were “washed out” were the towns of Balangkayan, Hernani, Balangiga, Lawaan and Giporlos.
He said the typhoon also killed many people particularly in Hernani but he could not give an estimate. He added that properties and churches were also “severely damaged”.
The typhoon also left the province’s 22 towns without power or telecommunications until now. (CBCPNews)
