Alarm raised on violence, rape in typhoon-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines - Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan has raised the alarm concerning reports of escalating violence and rape in areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda.

 â€œA humanitarian crisis of this proportion can and will spawn violence,” she said.

“It is high time that the Aquino government get its act together rather than waste time and effort defending itself from international criticism for its glaringly disorganized and incompetent response to the disaster brought about by super typhoon Yolanda.”

The deployment of security forces to control looting had no impact on allaying fears of further violence, including rape primarily because survivors need organized relief and rehabilitation efforts, she added.

Ilagan said six days after the typhoon, survivors continue to walk, sleep and scour for food among the dead in ruined structures.

 â€œWhy is it that there’s no centralized shelter or even a tent city in these areas?” she asked.

 â€œWhy are survivors left to line up for relief goods and rice when we know that they do not even have clean water or pots to cook them with? Why is it that no centralized socialized kitchen for food distribution has been set up? Why is it that there is no makeshift hospital to attend to those who need medical attention?” 

Ilagan said Gabriela Women’s Party and Gabriela Alliance have organized Lingap Gabriela to coordinate relief efforts from chapters and members in the Philippines and abroad.

 Local chapters in Yolanda-devastated areas  are being assisted and reorganized, while those in nearby areas are now being mobilized to send help, she added. – Paolo Romero, Rhodina Villanueva