Typhoon cleanup begins in Philippines
- 12 years ago
Flood victims pick through the rubble in the southern Philippines.
The area was devastated by flash floods and landslides caused by a typhoon that made landfall over the weekend.
More than 600 people are dead, while hundreds of thousands are living in temporary shelters.
To prevent the spread of disease, officials plan to bury the bodies as soon as possible.
SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) ILIGAN CITY MAYOR LAWRENCE CRUZ SAYING:
"We have decided, after consultation with our city health officer, that we should start digging graves for the bodies and bury them temporarily because they are already in an advanced state of decomposition. People nearby might get sick if we do not bury the bodies."
Residents say the more pressing matter is improving conditions in the camps, which are steadily worsening.
This man on the island of Mindanao says there has been little help from the government so far.
About 20 typhoons hit the Philippines ever year.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
The area was devastated by flash floods and landslides caused by a typhoon that made landfall over the weekend.
More than 600 people are dead, while hundreds of thousands are living in temporary shelters.
To prevent the spread of disease, officials plan to bury the bodies as soon as possible.
SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) ILIGAN CITY MAYOR LAWRENCE CRUZ SAYING:
"We have decided, after consultation with our city health officer, that we should start digging graves for the bodies and bury them temporarily because they are already in an advanced state of decomposition. People nearby might get sick if we do not bury the bodies."
Residents say the more pressing matter is improving conditions in the camps, which are steadily worsening.
This man on the island of Mindanao says there has been little help from the government so far.
About 20 typhoons hit the Philippines ever year.
Jessica Gray, Reuters