THE Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women and Rural Women Advocates (Ruwa) appealed for support for farmers and fishermen affected by series of typhoons --- Quinta, Rolly and Ulysses.
"Farmer and fisherfolk families urgently need help as the series of typhoons damaged their houses and their sources of livelihood which further amplified their suffering due to the disastrous impact of the pandemic and agricultural liberalization," Amihan national chairperson Zenaida Soriano said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported more than 80,000 families or 300,000 individuals were forced to evacuate due to Typhoon Ulysses.
Based on Department of Agriculture's (DA) initial report issued Friday, November 13, the damage of Typhoon Ulysses is at P104 million, affecting 2,839 farmers and 17,845 hectares of agricultural areas in the Cordillera, Central Luzon and Calabarzon alone.
DA reported P8.46 billion combined damage of Typhoon Quinta and Rolly, affecting 106,540 farmers and fisherfolk covering 223,772 hectares of agricultural areas.
"The National Government should step up its disaster response and the immediate delivery of food and other basic needs as local government units have already used up much of its resources in battling Covid-19," Soriano said.
"It is important to support farming communities and families. As our food security frontliners, their role is crucial in providing food for the country and having enough and nutritious food is necessary as we are still battling Covid-19," Rae Rival of Ruwa said.
The group also urged various groups and individuals to help and support the typhoon-hit communities through donations of basic necessities such as food, hygiene kits, PPEs, multi-vitamins and other needs.
The groups' effort is a part of the Tulong Anakpawis, a donation-drive conducted by farmer and fisherfolk organizations and advocates, led by Anakpawis Partylist.