The Storm
Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby) was downgraded to a tropical storm by state weather bureau PAGASA late Monday morning, December 8, together with the Japan Meteorological Agency and the US Navy Joint Typhoon Warning Center. However, storm warning signals are still up in large parts of Southern Luzon and the Visayas.
As of 10 am Monday, the eye of the storm was located 12 miles east of Torrijos, Marinduque, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph near the center and gusts of up to 83 mph. The storm’s diameter has become smaller, now just 280 miles across, and it continues to move slowly at around 6 mph, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected.
CARE’s Response
CARE has activated its emergency response team (ERT) with its local partners to conduct rapid needs assessments in the affected areas by Hagupit and respond to the emergency through local partners. CARE staff have been sent to Tacloban and Samar to provide further technical support to local partners conducting rapid needs assessments. CARE Manila and field staff are in constant coordination with local partners for assessment planning and implementation.
Emergency food packs for 2,800 families have been secured in the city of Leyte. These food packs will be transported to Samar soon for distribution. Food packs comprise 5kg of rice, and 5 tins each of beef and sardines.