Citizens and expatriates in Bahrain with links to the Philippines have been scrambling to reach their loved ones and offer support, in the aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi.
Bahraini-Filipino student Danah Alsaegh, 22, was able to get in touch with her friend Irish Colima in Cebu City who said that relief efforts are beginning after a challenging few days.
“When I woke up and saw the news, I was heartbroken,” Ms Alsaegh told the GDN.
“I am grateful none of my immediate family was affected, but some friends’ homes were damaged.”
Several homes have been flooded, with people trying to clear out and roads have become impassable, because of displaced cars and debris.
Ms Colima also added that relief efforts have begun and local municipal officials and private groups have been distributing food packs, clean water and basic necessities.
“It may not be enough but it’s a huge help to those affected,” she added, noting that some areas are still experiencing disruption in electricity and water supply.
Another of Ms Alsaegh’s friends, who is in Negros Occidental, another affected region, noted that initially, they hadn’t considered it to be anything serious, since typhoons are a regular occurrence in the islands.
“Local officials posted an announcement that classes were cancelled on Monday and Tuesday because of the typhoon,” she added.
“I saw a house have its rooftop lift into the air. The whole day, the city was foggy, with strong winds, and very heavy rainfall.”
Bahrain-based Filipino expatriate Hannah Valenzona, 27, heard back from a few of her friends in the affected areas, with sporadic messages coming through.
“I had worked in Cebu for a year, and I have friends, and those I consider family there,” she added.
“When I first saw the news, I thought it was normal because these things do happen in the islands, but when the reports started coming in that it was worse than Super Typhoon Yolanda, I got quite worried and started reaching out.
“One of my friends, who has links to Cebu and Siargao Island, responded and said that they are okay, but I haven’t heard anything more.
“Usually, when such things happen, the Internet is out for a few days. This one seems especially bad. I am hearing that an entire neighbourhood was wiped out.”
The GDN has approached the Philippines Embassy for a comment, and while an official statement was not released at the time of publication, an embassy representative expressed solidarity for those affected and noted that relief efforts are ongoing.
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