Manila (3 November 2015) - Rebuilding after a major disaster is a huge hurdle to overcome. But for the 16.1 million people who experienced the wrath of super typhoon Haiyan on November 8th 2013, it was possible.
Two years after Haiyan caused catastrophic damage, communities in Eastern and Western Visayas regions have managed rebuilding their destroyed houses and restored their livelihoods. Most people have regained access to markets and basic services, children are back in school, industries have resumed operations and plantations are rehabilitated. Even though there is more rebuilding still to be done, people are already better prepared for future natural calamities.
As of October 2015, CARE and its local partners have assisted more than 335,000 people affected by Haiyan with emergency food distributions, shelter repair and livelihoods recovery, as well as various trainings on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, women’s empowerment and skills advancement.
“We have witnessed how the communities transformed from having lost almost everything to being able to cope and resilient when calamities strike. Since the Philippines is prone to natural disasters, it is crucial to capacitate the communities to withstand future shocks,” said Maria Teresa “Tess” Bayombong, CARE’s Acting Country Director in the Philippines.
Bayombong cited the supported communities in Dagami, Pastrana and Santa Fe in Leyte where almost 100% of the repaired houses were able to withstand heavy rains and strong winds brought by relatively strong typhoons after Haiyan, particularly typhoon Hagupit.
“People focused on building back safer. They ensured that their repaired homes had proper roofing slope, bracing and connections,” explained Efren Mariano, CARE’s Shelter Advisor.
“We were particularly pleased when implemented our shelter repair program by seeing the keen, active participation of women in the communities, from planning to execution and evaluation,” added Mariano.
On livelihoods recovery, Bayombong highlighted the importance of not just providing livelihood options but also educating the communities about the hazards that surround them.
“The affected people are taught how to do their own hazard mapping and seasonal calendar to identify and deal with risks in their communities that affect their livelihoods such as flood, drought and infestation,” shared Bayombong.
“We promote food security and sustainability so we help the communities learn how to diversify their livelihoods, and adapt to effects of climate change,” she added.
More than 27,000 people have benefited from the household cash transfer program that enabled them to restore or kick-start income generating activities to support their family’s needs. Women have been key in driving recovery efforts as 53% of the supported livelihoods are led by women.
Due to this finding, CARE further support and empower women entrepreneurs through financial assistance and trainings on business planning, management and marketing. As of October 2015, 60 women entrepreneurs involved in a variety of income generating activities have been assisted.
A total of 229 Haiyan-affected community organizations in Eastern and Western Visayas regions have been supported through financial assistance and trainings to revive plantations, boost local economic activities, promote eco-tourism, provide opportunities for women workers, etc.
“CARE works diligently to reach the most vulnerable communities affected by Haiyan, with special attention given to women and girls and the most marginalized. We are determined to address their needs for food, shelter and income augmentation,” added Bayombong.
It is a major contributing factor that the Filipinos displayed undisputable resilience and cooperation to improve their conditions.
“We also commend their willingness to help each other especially those who are having difficulty to recover. The people even combined their resources to form group livelihoods to generate higher yields,” Bayombong said.
CARE continues to work with the affected people and reach more communities through livelihoods recovery assistance and capacity development trainings.
Media Contact:
Dennis Amata, Info and Communications Manager, CARE Philippines
Tel: +63 917 510 8150
E-mail: [email protected]