All-Around Pinay Mama

World Vision: Remembering Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) One Year On

November 10, 2014

November 8, 2014- Friday, marked the first anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan, a calamity that shook the world with compassion for Filipinos, who were devastated by this relentless storm.

The needs in all aspects were tremendous. The long-lasting effect of this typhoon could still be felt, impacting more than 14.1 million people.

Many lives were taken and for those people who survived, their livelihoods were gone.

5.9 million children were affected out of 14.1 million total people, 4.1 million people displaced, 1.1 million damaged houses, more than 6000 lost their lives, and still more than 1000 were reported as missing.

Now, they are faced with the reality of looking for new ways to earn an income, and continuing to feed their families, along with other day-to day changes post Haiyan.

World Vision has been on the ground in the relief phase and the recovery, committed to seeing these affected communities through until a time when they are again, sustainable.

WHAT WORLD VISION HAS DONE

RELIEF PHASE

In the first six months, World Vision was able to reach more than 766,000 people through provision of food, hygiene kits and emergency shelter kits.

See a flashback of World Vision relief efforts in a small community:

This was the initial onslaught when relief goods were being handed out:

During this phase, World Vision served women and children through Women and Young Children Spaces (WAYCS) and Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) while communities were mobilized to clear road, school, and farmland debris through cash for work (CFW) activities.

Learn more about what these spaces provided for people HERE:

Now, in the recovery phase, more than 66,500 beneficiaries to date through distribution of shelter materials and tool kits, and build-back-better workshops.

This video shows the build-back-better workshops:

World Vision is also committed to the repair/reconstruction of shelter and infrastructures for health centres, classrooms and WASH facilities.

To reduce the gap in learning disruptions, there were also student and teacher's kits distributed.

This video shows a distribution of student’s kit, outlining the importance of making it easier to continue children’s education.

Preparing for future disasters (Disaster Risk Reduction) and advocacy initiatives are underway. This ranges from savings groups to prepare for the inevitable, creating spaces that are less likely to damage in the event of high wind speeds for people to stay safe, along with their essential survival items.

World Vision also has the provision of alternative livelihood opportunities including seeds for planting, and distribution of livestock.

Here's a video showing the benefit of a community savings group in a disaster.

PRONE TO BAD WEATHER – WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

On July 15 2014, Typhoon Glenda swept through the provinces of Bicol Region, Leyte, Samar and Biliran Island. More than 3,000 individuals evacuated to five identified evacuation centres in Tacloban City. Various humanitarian organizations immediately responded through registration and camp management, mobilization of teams to do monitoring and psychosocial support to pregnant mothers, setting up of water bladder, activation of WASH committees at barangay level, hygiene promotion and installation of 8 temporary latrines (4 for male and 4 for female).

World Vision distributed blankets, mats and hygiene kits to more than 320 families at schools.

Sadly, if a low level typhoon hits the affected areas again while things are still fragile, it could easily send these areas into emergency phase again. The international community (all the NGO’s) are working hard to ensure that as many people are helped as soon as possible.

Let us remember and pray for the people who lost their lives, those who survived, and those who lost their loved ones.

Every survivor has a story, and it includes loss on an unimaginable scale. But it also includes resilience and empowerment, and sense of being thankful for what they have, and moving forward as best they can.

I was so fortunate that I was in the comforts of our home when the Philippines was hit by Typhoon Haiyan but my thoughts were with those who were homeless and to those who were badly affected.

This is a time to reflect, be grateful, and also remember the generosity that the whole world showed on our country in a time when we needede it most.

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MORE FACTS ABOUT TYPHOON HAIYAN:

- Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda to locals) was the Philippines 25th typhoon in 2013. They name them beginning at A and ending in Z.

- The typhoon made landfall in the municipality of Guiuan (Samar), which is where the Spanish settlers in the 16th century began to sow the seeds of Christianity. The town's church, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, is one of the oldest in the country.

- Haiyan wrought havoc in one of the country’s poorest provinces with high maternal and child health issues.

Information and Video Credits: World Vision Philippines