Philippines is the third world. It has little in common with life as we know it except for human suffering. In the best of times all third worlders know more about human suffering than most of us in the developed world ever will. And, believe me, these are not the best of times for those who Yolanda smashed through.
On the personal level, people have now started coming from outside the neighborhood or our family seeking (and receiving) something to eat. I take that as a sign of a problem, both for us and for them. We clearly can't end up feeding everyone, and folks would not be going to that length if thay had a better choice. So, nearly one week in and measurable relief is illusory. The promise is still there, and the reality is that something will happen, and our area is absolutely accessible. However, "The System" is not stretched, it's currently non-existent, and, properly so, organized aid will first end up being received by those far worse off than our area is. And I'll keep crossing my fingers that things don't deteriorate to the point that our family now qualifies as the top governmental priority.