By Jon Ehrenfeld | Project Officer
Relief Continues in Hard-Hit Philippines
Typhoon Haiyan has dropped off the front pages, but Peace Winds America and its partners are going strong. More than 3.3 million people are displaced, and the need for food, water, medicine, sanitation supplies, bedding, and shelter is greater than ever. The Citizens’ Disaster Response Center and the Southern Tagalog People’s Response Center are distributing relief items. They contain relief packs with 10 kilograms of rice, dried fish, tinned sardines, 500 mls of cooking oil, a sleeping mat, blanket, and utensils. At the same time they are providing disaster risk reduction education for future emergencies. Throughout, we are assessing needs on the ground and planning for recovery.
A Focus on Marginal Areas
The media for this typhoon has been centered in the populous areas in the east, around Tacloban and Leyte. Yet the devastation of the storm was enormous, and communities outside the media spotlight are at risk. PWA and CDRC are partnering to bring relief goods to 1,000 families in Busuanga Island, northeast of Palawan, where 85% of properties were damaged or destroyed. There the communities of Salvacion, Cheey, and Buluang are in critical need and far from the center of activity to the east.
Thinking Ahead to Recovery
Relief is still ongoing, yet now is the time to begin preparing a recovery strategy. PWA is drawing on its successful recovery strategy after the 3/11 tsunami in Japan. First, we are setting aside funds now, and committing to our partners that we will remain engaged throughout the disaster. Second, we are assessing relief needs, and evaluating likely areas for recovery. Presently PWA expects to provide recovery assistance for shelter and for fishing communities in coastal areas (boat/net repair, distribution of fishing supplies). Many relief organizations withdraw after the response phase – PWA stays on.
Your Support Has Made a Difference
PWA acknowledges and thanks its many donors in this catastrophe. Thanks to you, we were quickly able to commit to our partners on the ground, and ensure long-term help for the need in the Philippines. We couldn’t do it without you.
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