In the morning of October 23, the life of BeAnn, 27, flashed before her eyes as she and her family fought their way through the rising floodwaters in their house in Lemery, Batangas.
As the water rushed in, her focus sharpened on the immediate task at hand: leading her children and finding a way to safety.
“May mga sugat ang aming mga katawan dahil nakakasalubong namin ang mga malalaking troso at kahoy habang dumadaan kami sa baha. Sobrang lalaki ng mga ito na halos kami ay matumba, kaya't nagtutulungan at kapit-kapit kami,” she said.
(We had bruises on our bodies because we encountered hardwood logs and branches as we waded through the flood. They were so big that we almost toppled over, so we held onto each other tightly.)
But accomplishing this was extra challenging, especially since she had just given birth to her youngest a week ago and was still recovering from her recent operation.
"Nagulat kami sa biglaang taas ng tubig, si baby, wala talaga siyang balot. Sinagasa na talaga namin siya sa baha, kahit ako na bagong CS (cesarean-section). Hindi na rin nag-isip kung paano. Ang mahalaga ay makaligtas kami sa agos ng tubig,” she added.
(We were shocked by the sudden rise in the water. As for the baby, he didn't have any covering. We really had to push through the flood, even though I had just undergone a cesarean-section. I didn’t think about how to do it. What mattered was that we could survive the rushing water.)
They successfully evacuated to a nearby church, where other families were also staying and awaiting assistance. At a store, BeAnn asked for a plastic bag to protect her baby from the flood and rain.
“Sinupot namin si baby sa plastic para mabalutan siya at hindi mabasa, ang iniisip ko na lang noon ay mailigtas siya sa mataas na tubig,” BeAnn said.
(We wrapped the baby in plastic to keep him dry, all I could think about was saving him from the rising water.)
BeAnn and her newborn baby are just two of the more than seven million people affected by Typhoon Kristine, which devastated many parts of the country.
During emergencies like typhoon Kristine, pregnant and new mothers face a multitude of challenges, such as limited access to essential maternal health services, nutritious food, and clean water. Increased stress and anxiety, coupled with potential displacement, also aggravated their health risks.
In the aftermath of the typhoon, BeAnn feels the pressure to keep her baby safe while also facing the challenge of recovery and rebuilding.
Responding to the needs of mothers like BeAnn and their newborn, Save the Children Philippines provided infant and nursing kits. These included diapers, baby clothes, baby mats, bath soaps, cleaning agents, and other essentials, along with an early childhood care and development chart that mothers could use to support their little ones’ growth.
Faisah Ali, Save the Children Philippines Humanitarian Manager, highlighted the importance of inclusivity during disaster response, adding that it is not only about addressing immediate needs but also about prioritizing the long-term health and well-being of mothers and their newborns.
“We must ensure that every family, especially those with vulnerable members, receives the support they need to recover and thrive in the aftermath of disasters,” she said.
BeAnn mentioned that while some individuals were offering help with food and clothing, there was nothing that would have been specifically beneficial for her baby’s wellbeing.
“Nagpapasalamat kami dahil sa pupuntahan kami rito para mabigyan ng tulong. Sobrang laking tulong nito dahil wala kaming naisalbang gamit kahit man lang ni baby. Thank you po dahil magagamit namin ito,” BeAnn said.
(We are grateful for the help we are receiving here. This assistance is a tremendous help because we couldn't save any of our belongings, not even for the baby. Thank you, because we will be able to use this.)