Surigao del Norte, one of the provinces in the Philippines, bore the brunt of the destructive force of Typhoon Odette (RAI) in December 2021. This super typhoon, surpassing the strength of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013 and Typhoon Sendong in 2011, wreaked havoc across Visayas and Mindanao, leaving a devastating impact on thousands of lives. Homes and livelihoods were lost, and essential services such as communication connectivity and power supply were severely disrupted. The affected communities faced immediate challenges, including the scarcity of food, clean water, and proper shelter.

Responding swiftly to the crisis, the NLCOM Team wasted no time in initiating the Surigao Relief Operations. With the invaluable support of our network church partners, namely New Life Surigao, New Life Butuan, New Life Cagayan de Oro, and New Life Balingasag, we worked tirelessly to provide aid and relief to those in need. Together, we successfully distributed 500 relief food bags, 6 gallons of drinking water each, and 150 solar-powered flashlights to Barangay Sabang and other affected areas in Surigao City. Furthermore, with the assistance of our partners, AirAsia Philippines and Airspeed, we transported generator sets to support the local communities.

Our commitment to helping Surigao did not end with immediate relief efforts. We were moved to undertake the Rebuild Surigao initiative, aiming to provide essential building materials and shelter kits for 137 houses and a school. Additionally, we distributed 200 galvanized iron roofing sheets and 100 relief food packs to a Mamanwa tribe, further extending our reach to marginalized communities.

We are immensely grateful for the generous support and donations that have fueled our Rebuild Surigao efforts. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to our New Life network churches in Mindanao and their dedicated team of volunteers, who have played an integral role in making a positive difference in the lives of those affected by disasters in the Philippines.

At NLCOM, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving our kababayans in times of need. Together, let us continue to stand united and work towards a brighter and more resilient future for the Philippines.