NOW that the rains have somehow abated, Misamis Oriental officials fear that majority of the province's one million residents will face hunger in the aftermath of the recent devastating flash floods.

"Our problem now is how our people will fare in the coming months. The next planting season is still months away. How will they survive in between those months," Misamis Oriental Vice Governor Norris Babiera told officials of the World Food Programme (WFP).

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Babiera said the series of flash floods destroyed farm-to-market roads and bridges worth more than P207 million that are vital to the province's agricultural production.

He said they fear that Misamis Oriental residents, mostly fishermen and farmers, will go hungry in the coming months if assistance will not be provided.

"Our people can face starvation in the coming months. The post-disaster period is always the most difficult phase for the affected residents," Babiera said.

The World Food Programme, a United Nations humanitarian agency, has pledged to send 630 tons of rice that will be distributed to the two cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro and the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte, which were stricken by flash floods last week.

WFP deputy country director Alghassim Wurie said 6,815 bags of rice will be given to 14,105 families or 64,719 persons affected by the disaster.

Wurie said each of the families will receive 25 kilos of rice, but the amount is barely enough to see them through the lean months ahead.

He said they will send more rice if the need arises.

"The situation here is very serious. There areso many families affected. The WFP will support the local government in addressing the problem," Wurie told reporters.

The first convoy of trucks bringing the rice is expected to arrive Tuesday.

"The restoration of livelihoods of the affected people could take time; hence WFP announces this response in hopes that the food support could provide immediate relief to their situation. We remain concerned over the growing number of persons displaced by this natural disaster," UNWFP country director and representative Stephen Anderson said in a statement.

"The food support should especially be extended to farmers and fisher folk," he added.

Presentation

Babiera, using Powerpoint presentations, briefed Wurie and UN officials on the extent of the damages wrought by last week's flash floods.

As of January 17, Babiera said only 4,295 families or 20,049 individuals remain at evacuation centers in Misamis Oriental.

Babiera said the flash floods destroyed or damaged P52 million of agricultural products in Misamis Oriental's 23 municipalities and the cities of Gingoog and El Salvador, 18 bridges, five dikes, seven flood control systems, five spillways, three water systems and 16 irrigation systems.

"These figures will still go up as municipalities finalize their reports these coming weeks," Teddy Sabugaa Jr., chief of Misamis Oriental Provincial Disaster Council, said.

The news of the assistance from the international community swept like wildfire among Misamis Oriental officials and residents.

"Dako na kaayo na og tabang labina nga helper lang ko sa truck, ang pagpalit na lang sa ginagmay nga materials maoy akong hunahunaon karon," said Rodolfo Aresgar,36, of Zone 4, Barangay Igpit, Opol, whose house was destroyed by the flash floods. (The assistance will be a big help, especially since I am only a truck helper. What I need to think about now is to buy materials for the rebuilding of my house.)

Sabugaa said the province can now use the five-percent calamity fund for its rehabilitation efforts.