Filipinos in Bahrain are worried over typhoon back home

The Filipino community in Bahrain are worried about the situation in their country as a typhoon has struck several provinces. 

At least 13 people have been killed and thousands displaced as the typhoon threatens to exacerbate. 

Severe damage to property has also been reported as more than 700,000 fled the affected areas. Prominent members of the Filipino community in Bahrain said that there had been no reports of any incidents in the Philippines involving families of Bahrain-based Filipinos. 

“My home town is one that has been affected. Fortunately, my family lives in a concrete home so they are relatively safer. However, I am very worried about those who live in wooden houses or other vulnerable houses,” said Filipino Community Head of Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society Lyn Le Altarejos.

“Christmas, as well as elections are also approaching for them and it’s important that they are in a good state at that time. The typhoon is affecting the livelihood of many people, especially the fishermen whose boats have been destroyed and cannot go for fishing in this conditions. I am worried about where they will get the money for their daily needs,” she added.

“The Filipino community here is very worried. We are active in communicating with each other and I have been hearing a lot of concerns,” she said. 

She said that she was planning to host a get-together and contemplate the possibility of raising funds as well. 

“Obviously, there are many people who are in need of our support. We want to brainstorm what we can do. We want to help them celebrate a better Christmas and holidays,” she said.

A Filipino Community leader and President of Ecuminical Conference of Charity Nistor H Balano opined that better awareness was needed among Filipinos to avoid living in certain areas in the country.

 “We have been experiencing typhoons for many years. Every year we witness calamities. Yet, the people continue to live in the areas which are risky. I think, the government of the Philippines should step up and set guidelines for people, where they can live and where they should not. They must try to reduce the number of people who are living in risky areas. Many people are dying yearly because of this.

“This is how we protect our people. We cannot stop the calamities, but we can reduce their impact. 

“It is unusual that the typhoon is happening now in December, it may be a consequence of climate change. So, we need to keep in mind that disasters can strike at any point of the year and be prepared. It is the lack of preparation and lack of awareness that is most damaging for us, “ he said.  

Another resident Gabriel Cruz said that his friends and family were worried.  “Their lives have come to a standstill, the worry is that things could get worse. So far there has not been any major destruction where I am from. 

“I would say only medium destruction has been reported but there were no causalities. One of my biggest concerns is that people may be in a miserable state during Christmas.”

The Philippines is battered by an average of 20 typhoons annually. Typhoon Koppu, the last deadly storm to hit the country, killed 54 people and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes after it pummelled the northern Philippines in October. 

Haiyan, one of the deadliest typhoons in recent history, hit the Philippines in 2013 killing around 6,000.